Transaction terminal including imaging module

ABSTRACT

A transaction terminal includes a housing, a touch screen, a card reader, an imaging module, and a decode circuit coupled to the imaging module. The imaging module in one embodiment is disposed in the housing so that an imaging axis extends rearward of the housing. In a typical use of the terminal a store clerk can easily move objects into a field of view of the terminal. The transaction terminal can be coupled to a POS network which remotely sends a trigger signal actuating the imaging module when an age-proof-require product is being purchased.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.10/044,137, entitled “Transaction Terminal Encryption ApparatusComprising Encryption Mode Indicator”, filed Jan. 11, 2002 nowabandoned. This application also claims the priorities, under 35 U.S.C.§119, of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/348,738, entitled“Secure Information Input Apparatus Having Associated Secure ModeIndicator”, filed Jan. 14, 2002 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/347,708, entitled “Transaction Terminal Adapted for Ease of Useand Having Improved Security Features”, filed Jan. 11, 2002. All of theabove applications are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to data collection devices in general andparticularly to data collection devices including combine image captureand decoding functionality.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART

“Transaction terminals” of the type having a data collection (e.g. magstripe, smart card) input and signature capture capability forattachment to a point-of-sale (POS) network are growing in popularity.Unfortunately, currently available transaction terminals have beenobserved to exhibit numerous limitations.

For example, while presently available transaction terminals often areconfigured to prompt a user to enter personal identification (PIN)information, presently available transaction terminal lack adequatesecurity features for assuring that the PIN information cannot bestolen, either by overriding of an encryption routine or by theft ofencryption keys.

Presently available transaction terminals are also lacking in securityfeatures for monitoring presentation fraud. For example, whiletransaction terminals prompt a user to enter PIN information and toenter a signature, they are lacking in features which would enabledetermination of whether the person presenting information is in factthe person he purports to be.

The physical housings presently available in transaction terminals havealso observed to be problematic. The reading unit of presently availabletransaction terminals is a “swipe” style mag stripe card reader whichdefines a slit opening on the top of the terminal. The orientation andconfiguration of these swipe-style slot transaction terminals force areader into assuming uncomfortable and awkward body and arm positionsduring the reading process.

Other problems with present day transaction terminals exist as well. Forexample, present day transaction terminal allow unscrupulous persons toopen the terminal, and remove secure information bearing microchips orto syphon information from the chips.

There is a need to address these and other problems observed withpresently available transaction terminals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to its major aspects and broadly stated the invention is amultifunctional transaction terminal for use in various transactionssuch as transactions involving credit cards, debit cards, and customerloyalty cards.

A transaction terminal includes a housing, a touch screen, a cardreader, an imaging module, and a decode circuit coupled to the imagingmodule. The imaging module in one embodiment is disposed in the housingso that an imaging axis extends rearward of the housing. In a typicaluse of the terminal a store clerk can easily move objects into a fieldof view of the terminal. The transaction terminal can be coupled to aPOS network which remotely sends a trigger signal actuating the imagingmodule when an age-proof-requirement product is being purchased.

These and other details and advantages will become apparent from thedetailed description of the preferred embodiment hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For a further understanding of these and objects of the invention,reference will be made to the following detailed description of theinvention which is to be read in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, wherein:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are perspective views of an exemplary transactionterminal according to the invention;

FIG. 1 c is a top view of an exemplary transaction terminal according tothe invention;

FIG. 1 e is a side view of an exemplary transaction terminal accordingto the invention;

FIG. 1 f is a side view of a wedge style user according to theinvention;

FIG. 1 g is a bottom perspective view of a transaction terminalaccording to the invention;

FIGS. 1 h and 1 i are cutaway side views of an exemplary transactionterminal according to the invention;

FIGS. 1 j and 1 k are bottom perspective views of an exemplarytransaction terminal according to the invention having SAMS accessdoors;

FIGS. 1L an 1 m is a terminal according to the invention including anintegrated fingerprint scanner.

FIG. 1 n shows a universal cable of the invention;

FIG. 1 o is a top view of a universal connection of the invention;

FIG. 1 p is a side view of a terminal including an optical reader;

FIG. 1 q is a front view of a terminal according to the inventionincluding an optical reader, a retinal scanner and a fingerprintscanner;

FIG. 1 r is a perspective view of a riser.

FIGS. 1 s-1 t are view of terminals in an exemplary embodiment forillustrating dimensional features.

FIG. 2 a is a functional electrical block diagram of an exemplarytransaction terminal according to the invention;

FIG. 2 b is an exemplary chip system architecture diagram of anexemplary transaction terminal according to the invention;

FIG. 2 c is a functional electrical block diagram showing of a securityblock shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 2 d shows an alternative embodiment of a security block accordingto the invention;

FIG. 2 e shows a functional block diagram of a secure information entrycircuit of the invention;

FIGS. 2 f and 2 g are memory maps illustrating just two of severalpossible embodiments of firmware;

FIG. 2 h is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary encryption routineaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 a is a flow diagram illustrating a flow of events in a typicalPOS transaction;

FIGS. 3 b-3 e show various embodiments of possible POS networks;

FIGS. 3 f-3 g illustrate alternative cash registers which may bedisposed in communication with a transaction terminal of the invention;

FIG. 4 a is an exemplary assembly diagram for an exemplary transactionterminal according to the invention;

FIGS. 4 b and 4 c are detailed assembly diagrams illustrating a break-indetection feature according to the invention;

FIG. 4 d is a partial exploded perspective view of a main PCB of anexemplary transaction terminal according to the invention;

FIG. 4 e is an assembly view of a transaction terminal having areplaceable window;

FIG. 4 f is a top view of a transaction terminal frame including cutawayviews illustrating raised surfaces of the frame;

FIG. 4 g is a top view of a transaction terminal in a mode wherein asignature capture screen is displayed on the terminal;

FIG. 4 h is a perspective view of a left-handed overwriter enteringsignature data;

FIG. 4 i is a bottom view of a transaction terminal including areplaceable window;

FIG. 4 j is a top assembly view of a transaction terminal including areplaceable window;

FIG. 4 k is a bottom assembly view of a transaction terminal including areplaceable window;

FIG. 4L is a top view of a transaction terminal in a mode where thetransaction terminal displays a signature entry screen;

FIG. 4 m is a flow diagram illustrating operation of transactionterminal during signature entry mode of operation.

FIG. 4 n is a top view of a transaction terminal in a card reading mode.

FIG. 5 a is a side view of an exemplary stylus and cord according to theinvention;

FIG. 5 b is a cutaway partial side view of the stylus shown in FIG. 5 a;

FIGS. 5 c, 5 d, and 5 f are perspective views of a stylus holderassembly according to the invention;

FIG. 5 e is a side view of a holder assembly according to the invention;

FIGS. 6 a-6 d are various perspective views of a hybrid reader unitwhich may be incorporated in a transaction terminal according to theinvention;

FIGS. 7 a-7 b are functional diagrams illustrating a brooming effect ofthe invention;

FIG. 7 c is a business model diagram illustrating a method for marketingad supplying a terminal according to the invention;

FIGS. 7 d-7 g are perspective views of alternative apparatuses in whicha security feature can be incorporated;

FIG. 7 h is a network diagram illustrating incorporation of a securityfeature in one embodiment;

FIGS. 8 a-8 b are function lay-out diagrams of a touch screen overlay;

FIGS. 9 a-9 b are perspective views of a transaction terminal includingan elongated finger recess;

FIG. 9 c is a perspective view of a transaction terminal including afinger recess and an outer surface region including printed matter.

FIG. 9 d is a top view of a transaction-terminal including an elongatedfinger recess;

FIG. 9 e is a front view of a transaction terminal including anelongated finger recess;

FIG. 9 f is a perspective view of a transaction terminal including anelongated finger recess and a middle finger recess;

FIG. 9 g is a perspective view of a transaction terminal and a fingerrecess formed integrally with a card cavity that is devoid of a cardcutout section;

FIG. 9 h is a perspective view of a transaction terminal having a spacedapart card cavity and elongated finger recess.

FIG. 9 i is a side view of a transaction terminal having a “two knuckle”elongated finger recess;

FIG. 9 j is a top view of a transaction terminal having a two knuckledelongated finger recess;

FIG. 9 k is a top view of a transaction terminal having a web-receivingelongated finger recess;

FIG. 9L is a top view of a transaction terminal having an elongatedborder outline thereof labeled;

FIG. 9 m is a side view of a transaction terminal having an apex ridge;

FIG. 9 n are top and cross-sectional views including exemplarydimensional data, of a transaction terminal having an elongated recess;

FIG. 10 a is a perspective view of a transaction terminal in a retailstore application;

FIG. 10 b is an internal perspective view of a transaction terminalincluding two imaging procedures;

FIG. 10 c is a front view of an imaging module having a front imagingmodule;

FIG. 10 d is a rear view of an imaging module including a rear imagingmodule;

FIG. 10 e is a perspective view of an imaging module support havingmounting wings;

FIG. 10 f is an exemplary block electrical diagram of a transactionterminal having two imaging modules;

FIGS. 10 g-10 h are perspective views of an imaging module;

FIG. 10 i is an assembly view of an imaging module;

FIGS. 11 a-11 g are various additional views of a transaction terminal;

FIG. 12 a illustrates a prior art transaction terminal;

FIG. 12 b is a perspective view of a prior art finger recessincorporated in a fingerprint scanning device of the prior art;

FIG. 12 c is a side view of a prior art finger recess incorporated in afingerprint scanning device of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Perspective views of a transaction terminal according to the invention,which may be adapted for reading card information, for secure receipt ofpersonal identification (PIN) information, for signature capture, andnumerous other functions are shown in FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, and 1 g. Card 90which is processed by transaction terminal 10 may be, for example, acredit card, a debit card, customer loyalty card, an electronic benefitscard, a company-sponsored benefits card, an identification card, etc.

Transaction terminal 10 includes a rugged housing 11 having a top 11 a,a bottom 11 b, a front 11 f, and sides 11 s. Housing 11 further includesa base portion 11 bs and an enlarged head portion 11 h extendingforwardly from base 11 b to define a lip 11L. Integrated in the top 11Tof terminal 10 is a touch screen 20, which will be described herein,comprises a display 234 and a touch sensitive overlay 23 disposed overdisplay 234. Disposed in housing lip 11L and opening toward front 11F ofhousing 11 is an insert-style card reader 240. Housing 11 furtherincludes a detachable riser 11R and a tangle-resistant stylus 30disposed in a specially configured holder apparatus 40 adapted forattachment either on housing 11 or on another member separate fromhousing 10. Terminal 10 further includes I/O connection ports 40 and 42for allowing communication with other computer systems such as cashregisters, or other host computer systems, e.g server system, or hubcomputer systems as will be described later herein.

A high level electrical block diagram of terminal 10 is shown in FIG. 2a. Terminal 10 includes a control circuit 210 which typically comprisesat least one IC microchip. For example, an Intel 133 MHz or 206 MhzSA-1110 Strong-arm CPU is suitable for use in circuit 210, althoughfaster and less expensive CPU IC's will be preferred when they becomeavailable. In addition to having a central processing unit, CPU 212,control circuit 210 further includes a memory 216 typically having atleast RAM 217 and ROM 218 memory devices. ROM 218 may be areprogrammable ROM, otherwise known as a “flash” ROM.

Control circuit 210 may be in communication with other types of memoryincluding “flash” type memory, e.g. a memory device 216F sold under thecommercial names “Multimedia MMC,” “Smart Media,” “Compact Flash,” and“Memory Stick.” Flash type memory devices are especially useful forstoring image data and signature data. Memory 216 which may be includedin or in communication with control circuit 210 may also comprise a longterm storage device 216 s such as a hard drive, a floppy disk, or acompact disc. It has become increasingly common to package memorydevices, particularly RAM and ROM devices within a single IC chipincluding control circuit CPU 212, RAM 216, and ROM 218.

Control circuit 210 is in communication with a number of components,including reader unit 240 which is a preferred embodiment in an insertstyle (also known as “dip” style) hybrid magnetic stripe and smart cardreader/writer. Hybrid reader 240 may be an OEM integrated unit, e.g. aZU series reader of the type available from Matsushita of Japan, anST-40 series hybrid reader available from Secure-Tech, or a hybridreader of the type available from IDTECH. Hybrid reader unit 240includes a mag stripe reader 241 in communication with magnetic controland decode circuit 242, and smart card reader/writer 243 incommunication with smart card control and decode circuit 244. Hybridreader unit 240 may be disposed in pocket 13 defined in lower section11LW of housing 11 as seen in assembly view FIG. 4 a.

Control circuit 210 in the embodiment of FIG. 2 a is also incommunication with an RF ID reader unit having a reader 261, withassociated control and decode circuit 262. RF ID reader 261 may be, forexample a Kronegger miniaturized RF reader, readily connected to PCB290, having a 25×35 mm footprint and power consumption below 100 mareader may be mounted just under housing upper portion 261 p indicatedin FIG. 4L.

Another user interface data input device which may be disposed incommunication with control circuit 210 is an optical reader unit havingimaging assembly 263 and associated control and decode out circuit 264.Decoding could also be carried out by control circuit 210. A model IT4000 or IT 4200 optical reader module with decode out circuit of thetype available from Hand Held Products, Inc. may be selected to providethe function indicated by blocks 263 and 264. Assembly 263 could also bea linear assembly. Embodiments of transaction terminals according to theinvention including an optical reader unit having 263 are shown in FIGS.1 p and 1 q. Assembly 263 is readily installed in side 10 s of base 10bs. More particularly housing 11 can include an imaging assemblyaperture for accommodation of imaging assembly 263. The aperture mayaccommodate assembly 260 by allowing light to pass through to theimaging assembly aperture in the case assembly is mounted entirelyinside housing 11 or may accommodate assembly 263 by allowing a part ofassembly 263 to extend into the exterior of housing 11 in the caseassembly 263 is mounted in such a manner that it is disposed partiallyinside and partially outside of housing 11. The height of the integratedportion of base 10 bs may be increased as shown so that e.g. a credit ordebit or identification card is readily placed in the field of view ofreader 236.

Referring to the application depicted in FIGS. 10 a-10 d it isadvantageous to incorporate plural imaging assemblies 263 intotransaction terminal 10. Transaction terminal 10 of FIGS. 10 a-10 dinclude front and rear imaging assemblies 263-1 and 263-2 as seen inFIG. 10 b. Front imaging assembly 263-1 including imaging axis a_(i1) isemployed in the capture of images corresponding to objects (includingobjects bearing decodable indicia) disposed forward of transactionterminal 10, while rear imaging assembly 263-2 having imaging axisa_(i2) is employed in the capture of images corresponding to objects(including indicia-bearing objects) disposed rearward of transactionterminal 10.

In a typical use of transaction terminal 10 as depicted in FIG. 10 a,wherein transaction terminal 10 is installed on a counter top 6302having a conveyor 6304, a front of transaction terminal 10 generallyfaces a customer while a rear of transaction terminal 10 generally facesa store clerk, who stands proximate cash register 340. Disposing firstimaging assembly 263-1 to image objects disposed forward of transactionterminal 10 renders first imaging assembly 263-1 well-suited for use bya customer. Similarly, disposing second imaging assembly 263-2 to imageobjects disposed rearward of transaction terminal 10 renders secondimaging assembly 263-2 well-suited for use by a store clerk.

During operating programs executed by control circuit 210, a customermay actuate first imaging assembly 263-1 to e.g. read a bar code from acustomer loyalty card to determine a customer number, to capture animage corresponding to a fingerprint or a face of a customer, etc. Astore clerk may actuate second imaging assembly 263-2 e.g. to read a barcode from a driver's license or other identification card to determine acustomer's age, to read a bar code from a product, or to capture animage for any reason. Further aspects of the invention relating to astore clerk's actuation of second imaging module 263-2 will be describedin greater detail herein.

Referring to FIG. 10 b an internal perspective view of a transactionterminal 10 having front and rear imaging assemblies is shown. Imagingassemblies 263-1 and 263-2 in the embodiments of FIGS. 10 b, 10 c, and10 d are provided by IT4000 imaging modules available from HHP, Inc. ofSkaneateles Falls, N.Y., as are substantially described in applicationSer. No. 10/092,789, filed Mar. 7, 2002, entitled “Optical ReaderImaging Module” incorporated herein by reference and application Ser.No. 10/093,136 filed Mar. 7, 2002, entitled “Optical Reader ComprisingMultiple Color Illumination” also incorporated herein by reference.IT4000 imaging modules are shown in greater detail in the exploded viewsof FIGS. 10 g-10 j. Imaging module 263 includes a support 6380 having acontainment 6381 containing image sensor chip 6332, and a retainersection 6382 retaining a lens assembly 6340 shown as being provided by alens barrel. Image sensor chip 6332 can be a color image sensor chip ofthe type described in application Ser. No. 09/904,697 filed Jul. 13,2001, entitled “An Optical Reader Having a Color Imager”, incorporatedherein by reference. Lens assembly 6340 may include fixed opticsconfigured so that imaging module 263 has a best focus receive distanceof less than two feet (e.g. 3 in., 7 in., 9 in). Lens assembly 6340 canalso include adjustable optics varying the best focus distance of module263, or fixed optics such that a best focus receive distance of module263 is more than two feet. A first circuit board 6314 a carrying imagesensor chip 6332 and aiming LEDs 6318 is mounted to a back end ofsupport 6380 while a front circuit board 6314 b carrying illuminationLEDs 6316 is mounted to a front end of support 6380. An optical plate6326 carrying aiming and illumination optics is disposed forward ofsecond circuit board 6314 b. Supporting the various components ofimaging module 263 are a plurality of conductive support posts 6384.Imaging module 263 can include mounting wings 6380 w for aiding in theinstallation of imaging module 263 in a device housing. Imaging module263 has a form factor of about 2.0 cm by 1.2 cm by 1.2 cm. Imagingmodule 263 can also be of a type comprising a 1D image sensor or a lasersweeping scan engine.

Control circuit 210 can include one of the systems for controlling aplurality of imaging modules that is described in application Ser. No.10/161,950 filed Jun. 4, 2002, entitled “Optical Reader Having aPlurality of Imaging Modules”, incorporated herein by reference. Theseparate control and decode circuits 264-1 and 264-2 can be incorporatedin control circuit 210, if control circuit 210 is sufficiently fast andpowerful. Control circuit 210, as is indicated in FIG. 10 f can also bein communication with two separate control and decode circuits 264-1 and264-2, each having an individual processor and memory. Control anddecode circuit 264-1 (which may be termed a capture and decode circuit)captures images via actuation of module 263-1 while control and decodecircuit 264-2 captures images via actuation of module 263-2. Control anddecode circuit 264-1 and control and decode circuit 264-2 presentdecoded out messages and/or image data, such as frames of image data, tocontrol circuit 210. Control and decode circuits 264-1, 264-2, maysubject a captured image to a decoding algorithm of one of the typesdescribed herein application Ser. No. 09/904,697, filed Jul. 13, 2001,entitled “An Optical Reader Having a Color Imager”, previouslyincorporated herein by reference. Each of the control circuits 264-1 and264-2 can take the form of the exemplary single imaging moduleelectrical circuit described in application Ser. No. 10/161,950, filedJun. 4, 2002, entitled “Optical Reader Having a Plurality of ImagingModules”, and incorporated herein by reference. It will be seen thattransaction terminal 10 can be configured so that imaging modules 263such as module 263-1 and module 263-2 include overlapping fields of viewand can be controlled according to one of a control method described inthe previously incorporated application Ser. No. 10/161,950 application.

Physical form views of circuit 264-1 and circuit 264-2 are shown in FIG.10 b. Circuit 264-1 is incorporated in printed circuit board 6310 whilecircuit 264-2 is incorporated in printed circuit board 6312. Controlcircuits 264-1 and 264-2 could also be incorporated in a circuit boardof the respective imaging modules 263-1 and 263-2, as is generallydescribed in application Ser. No. 09/411,936 filed Oct. 4, 1999,entitled “Imaging Module for Optical Reader” incorporated herein byreference.

Referring to FIG. 10 c a front view of a transaction terminal 10including a front imaging module 263-1 is shown. A front view of frontimaging module 263-1 is visible through a front aperture 6320 of housing11. A rear view of transaction terminal 10 is shown in FIG. 10 d. Afront view of rear module 263-2 is visible through rear aperture 6322.Light transmissive windows (not shown) protecting and containing imagingmodules 263-1 and 263-2 can be disposed to cover apertures 6320 and6322. Installing transaction terminal 10 on riser 11 r providessufficient clearance between transaction terminal 10 and the counter top6302 so that objects including decodable indicia-bearing objects canreadily be placed in a field of view of both first imaging module 263-1and second imaging module 263-2.

Referring to further aspects of terminal 10 shown in FIG. 10 d, terminal10 includes first and second broad surfaces 7602-1 and 7602-2 forreceiving holder apparatus 70 as described previously in connection withFIG. 3 e. Preferably both of surfaces 76-1 and 7602-7 can be flat andcan be specifically dimensioned to correspond to a rear surface 76 ofholder 70 (FIG. 3 e). As indicated by profile edge 7604, surfaces7602-1, 7602-2, and 76 can be keyed to assure prompt and properorientation of surface 76 onto surface 7602-1 or 7602-2. Surface 7602-1is formed on a right side of housing 11 (from a front end view) so thatterminal 10 can be adapted for easy access of stylus 74 by right handers(the majority of users). Surface 7602-2 is formed on a rear of housing11 so that terminal 10 can be adapted for easy access of styles by bothright and left handers. Holder 70 can be detachably attached to surface7602-1 or 7602-2 with use, e.g. of adhesive or double stick tape.

It has been mentioned that during the course of operation of terminal 10it may be advantageous for a user to actuate module 263-1 or module263-2. In general, a module 263-1, 263-2 can be actuated to capture animage (which is then archived and/or subjected to decoding) bygenerating a “trigger signal”. A trigger signal can be generated by anyone of at least three methods: (1) Manually, by manual actuation of atrigger or trigger button; (2) Automatically, by moving a detectabledecodable image or optics into the field of view of module 263-1, 263-2,or (3) Automatically, by realization of a predetermined event orcondition.

Referring to the first method for generating a trigger signal (manualactuation of a trigger button), transaction terminal 10 can be equippedwith at least one manual trigger or trigger buttons. Trigger button 6370(FIG. 10 c) can be disposed on housing 11 toward a front of housing 11for actuation of first imaging module 263-1, while trigger button 6371(FIG. 10 d) can be disposed toward a rear of housing 11 for generationof a trigger signal for actuating a second imager module 263-1. A manualtrigger button or buttons can also be displayed on touch screen 20.Further, a manual trigger button for generating a trigger signal foractuating either of module 263-1 or 263-2 need not be located ontransaction terminal 10. A manual trigger button can be located remotefrom transaction terminal. For example, cash register 340 (which is incommunication with terminal 10 as described with reference to FIGS. 3 fand 3 g) can be configured so that cash register 340 generates a triggersignal for actuation of imaging module 263-1, 263-2 when a manualtrigger button of cash register is actuated. Cash register 340 can beconfigured so that when a certain button of keyboard 346 or a dedicatedtrigger button 6373 is actuated, cash register 340 sends a triggersignal to transaction terminal 10 (possibly in the form, e.g. of a onebit signal, or of one or more program instructions such a script programinstructions) to actuate-an imaging module e.g. 263-2 so that circuit264-2 captures an image and subjects the image to a decode attempt.

Referring to a second method for generating a trigger signal (automatic,in response to a decodable indicia or object being presented to module263-1, 263-2), control circuits 264-1, 264-2 can be configured so that atrigger signal for actuating imaging module 263-1 and 263-2 is actuatedin the manner described in application Ser. No. 09/432,282, filed Nov.2, 1999, entitled “Indicia Sensor System for Optical Reader”incorporated herein by reference. In the incorporated application Ser.No. 09/432,282, a control circuit for an optical reader is describedwhich, without actuating illumination sources such as LEDs 6316,captures image data and monitors for indicia including light-to-darktransitions being moved into a field of view of an image sensor. When acriteria indicating that a decodable indicia has been presented, thecontrol circuit generates what can be considered herein a trigger signalto commence a full decode operating mode characterized by actuation ofat least illumination LEDs such as LEDs 6316, full frame imagecapturing, and launching of at least one decode algorithm. When LEDs6316 and/or LEDs 6318 are actuated, both a customer and a store clerkwill likely observe the illumination being emitted, whether by module263-1 or module 263-2.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to configure transaction terminal10 so that erroneous actuations (which may result from unintentionallymoving an object into a field of view) of LEDs 6316, 6318 are minimized.Erroneous actuations LEDs and/or LEDs 6318 can be distracting. Tominimize erroneous actuation of LEDS 16, 18 transaction terminal 10 canbe mounted vertically so that imaging axes a_(i1), a_(i2) are directedvertically. Alternatively imaging modules 263-1 and 263-2 can bedisposed in transaction terminal 10 so that imaging axes a_(i1), a_(i2)are directed substantially vertically. For example, rear imaging module263-2 can be disposed in housing 11 so that imaging axis a_(i2) extendsupwardly from terminal 10 along axis 6380, or downwardly along axis6382. Disposing an imaging module 263-2 rearward of touch screen 20 asshown in FIG. 10 a renders a field of view of module 263-2 easilyaccessible by a store clerk.

Referring to a third method of generating a trigger signal(automatically, on the realization of predetermined event or condition),a system including transaction terminal 10 can be configured in onespecific embodiment so that a trigger signal is generated when a certaintype of product is purchased pursuant to a POS transaction. The purchaseof certain “age proof required” products (e.g. alcohol, tobacco, R ratedvideos) require that customer prove his/her age prior to purchase. Inaccordance with the invention, a lookup table (LUT) can be incorporatedin cash register 340 (or elsewhere in POS network 300 including interminal 10) correlating product codes with flags indicating whether theproduct is an age proof required product. An updated version of theproof-of-age LUT may periodically downloaded to cash register 340 orterminal 10. A product code can be determined by reading a bar codesymbol such as the UPC code of a product, typically using a “storeclerk” bar code reader 342 in communication with cash register 340. Itwill be understood that a “store clerk” bar code reader 342 incommunication cash register 340 can be a bar code reader incorporated intransaction terminal 10 as has been described herein. In accordance withthe invention, cash register 340 can be configured to generate a triggersignal when cash register 340 receives from a bar code reader 340 adecoded out message comprising a product code corresponding to a“proof-of-age” product as determined with reference to the lookup table(LUT). Cash register 340 when receiving a decoded out message having aproduct code corresponding to a “proof-of-age” product, may transmit atrigger signal (possibly in the form, e.g. of one or more programinstructions or a one bit signal) to control circuit 210 of transactionterminal 10 to cause control circuit 210 to actuate imaging module 265-2so that a control circuit (e.g. 210 or 262-2) associated with imagingmodule 263-2 repeatedly captures images and subjects the captured imagesto decoding without further manual actuation of any actuation device.When imaging module 263-2 is actuated to repeatedly capture images andsubject captured images to decoding, LEDs 6316 and/or 6318 of imagingmodule 263-2 are actuated as part of the image capture process. LEDs6316 may be red LEDs which project light that is highly visible to acustomer and a store clerk. Thus, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention, LEDs 6316 are automatically actuated to emit red light inarea 6390 (or about one of axes 6380, 6382) when cash register 340receives a decoded out message corresponding to a “proof-of-age”product. The red light or another visible light emitted by LEDs 6316provides a visual feed back indicating to a customer and a store clerkthat proof-of-age is required for purchase of the product just subjectedto bar code decoding by reader 340. The store clerk may then placecustomer driver license or other customer identification card in a fieldof view of module 263-2 to decode a bar code on the identification cardindicating the customer's date of birth. After a customer identificationcard bar code is read, transaction terminal 10 may communicate with cashregister 340 so that cash register 340 displays on cash register display340 d the customer's date of birth or an appropriate text messageindicating that the customer is or is not of sufficient age to purchasethe product. Further, in accordance with the invention, control circuit210 when receiving a trigger signal may display a prompt message ontouch screen 20, such as “PLEASE HAND IDENTIFICATION CARD TO STORECLERK” in order to prompt a customer to giver his/her identificationcard to the store clerk for birth date verification using imaging module263-2 which, by the time the prompt message is observed, has alreadybeing actuated to illuminate area 6390, to repeatedly capture imagedata, and to repeatedly subject captured images to decode attempts.

It will be appreciated that significant functionality is added toterminal 10 when terminal is equipped with an optical reader. Whenterminal 10 includes a 2D reader control circuit 210 can store frames ofimage data into memory e.g. memory 216 f. Optical reader 263 can becontrolled for use in capturing frames of image data comprisinghandwritten signatures. If control circuit 210 determines that asignature capture mode using touch screen 20 fails, control circuit 210may display a prompt prompting a user to dispose a signature bearingsubstrate in the field of view of imaging assembly 263. Circuit 210 mayfurther display on screen 20 a button for actuating image capture, thencapture a signature when a user actuates a control button. By storingthe image representation including a signature representation intomemory 216. The symbol decoding functionality of reader unit includingassembly 263 coupled with the image capture functionality of assembly263 renders terminal 10 operable to execute numerous types ofuser-interactive methods which are useful for fraud prevention and otherpurposes. U.S. Ser. No. 09/788,179, entitled “Identification CardReader” filed Feb. 16, 2001, and assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention describes numerous methods for determining whether a cardholder is the person he purports to be utilizing an optical readerhaving image capture and decode capability and numerous other methodsrelating to identification and fraud prevention. Applicants herebyexpressly incorporate herein U.S. Ser. No. 09/788,179 in its entirety byreference. It is seen from FIG. 1 q that terminal 10 may include a cardholding tray 19 for holding an identification card in the field of viewof assembly 263 such as the identification card reader card holderdescribed in detail in the above mentioned U.S. Ser. No. 09/788,179application.

Still further, control circuit 210 may be in communication with afingerprint scanner unit having a scanner 265 including an activesurface referred to as a sensor 265 s (FIGS. 1L and 1 m) and associatedcontrol circuitry 266. A fingerprint scan unit may be provided by, forexample, by a Bioscrypt, Inc. OEM module fingerprint scan unit, aBERGDATA OEM module fingerprint scan unit or an ULTRA SCAN Corp. Series400 OEM Fingerprint Scan unit. Transaction terminal 10 may capture anelectronic fingerprint representation and send the electronicfingerprint representation to a non-integral computer system such as acomputer system of Network 380, and Network 380 may perform theidentification. Also Network 380 may periodically download a database ofrelevant electronic fingerprint authorizations for use by controlcircuit 210 in performing fingerprint identification functions.Transaction terminals according to the invention comprising integratedfingerprint scanning units are shown in FIGS. 1L, 1 m, and 1 q. Scanner265 may include finger receiving recess 265 r integrally formed inhousing 11. Scanner sensor 265 s may be disposed under a window formedin bottom surface of recess 265 f. The window can be considered part ofthe scanner sensor. A fingerprint scanning unit according to theinvention can also comprise an insert-style finger scanning unit.

A finger scanning transaction terminal 10 having an elongated fingerrecess is described with reference to FIGS. 9 a-9 n.

The invention of FIGS. 9 a-9 n is better understood with reference tothe prior art finger receipt system of FIG. 11 b and 11 c. Prior artfinger receipt system 6507 includes a finger recess 6502 of length 6504,wherein length 6504 is about 1.000 inches (about the average length ofan adult human index finger to the first knuckle). Prior art fingerreceipt system 6507 also includes a flat region 6510 higher than asurface of scanner 265 s disposed in finger recess 6502. During fingerscanning of an index finger, a user rests at least his middle finger,possibly a ring finger, and a pinky on flat region 6510 of raisedheight.

The inventors noted a number of problems with finger receipt system 6507as shown in FIG. 12 b. First, the short length of recess 6502 encouragessome users to move an index finger toward recess 6502 at a substantiallyvertical angle of approach as is depicted in FIG. 12 c. A verticalloading of a finger onto recess 6502 may result in an inadequate imaging(such as capacitive imaging) of a finger print during finger scanning.Further, raised surface 6510 may operate to tilt a finger within recess6502 laterally, also deleteriously affecting finger imaging. The singleprior art system of FIGS. 12 b and 12 c is an example reference andshould not be taken to be a complete summary of all of the problems ofthe prior art which the present invention is designed to overcome, noris it implied that all prior art finger receipt systems include all ofthe features shown in FIGS. 12 b and 12 c.

Referring now to the transaction terminal of FIGS. 9 a-9 n, transactionterminal 10 includes an elongated finger recess 6502 e which ispartially defined by a card cavity 6515 of insert reader 240. In theembodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 a and 9 a, for example,insert reader 240 includes a card cavity 6515 defined by side 6520, rear6522 and side 6524 interior sidewalls of insert reader 240. A cardcavity as defined herein, may or may not include a card cutout section6530 as best seen in FIG. 9 d. A card cavity 6550 includes a cutoutsection 6530 if an open space is defined by opposing sidewalls of a cardreader 240 throughout an entire height of a card reader 240. Forcomparison, the embodiment of FIG. 9 g includes a card cavity because itincludes at least one interior sidewall 6524, but is not considered tohave a cutout section because the interior sidewalls of reader 240 donot extend an entire height of the reader 240 as in the remainingembodiments of insert readers 240 described herein. Card cavities aid inthe lateral alignment of a card within slot 245 as a card 90 is insertedinto slot 245. Card cavities 6515 among other advantages allow a user todiscern the approximate center of a slot from a substantially verticalviewing perspective. Card cavities having cutout sections 6530 allow acard 90 to be fully inserted into reader 240. Full insertion of card 90is often required for mag stripe reading. Standardized mag stripe cardshave mag stripes extending an entire length of a card. A mag stripereader 241 can be mounted under surface 6531 as best seen in FIG. 4 a.The integration of finger recess 6502 e and cavity 6520 in accordancewith the invention reduces material and space consumption of terminal 10relative to what the consumption would be if recess 6502 e and cavity6515 are provided separately.

With further reference to the finger receipt system of FIGS. 9 a-9 f,elongated finger recess 6502 e partially delimited by a sidewall 6524 ofa card cavity 6515 has a length 6540 of at least about 1.75 inches. Thelength of 1.75 inches is based on the average adult human finger indexlength tip-to-second knuckle distance of about 2.00 inches. Preferably,the finger receipt distance should be selected to be at least 2.00inches so that finger receipt system substantially receives an indexfinger up to the second knuckle. In certain embodiments, which will bedescribed thereon, elongated finger recess 6502 e is sized to a lengthlonger than an average fingertip-to-web distance.

An elongated finger recess 6502 e, if extending generally coextensivelywith a planar surface of scanner sensor 265 s encourages a user toinsert her finger in the recess in a position such that a user'sfingertip lies flush on sensor 265 s to the end that sensor 265 sdevelops high quality image signals corresponding to a fingertip. Inaddition to the types mentioned previously herein, fingerprint scannerincluding sensor 265 s may be of a type available from Bioscrypt, Inc.,Mississauga, Ontario such as a sensor of a Bioscrypt MV1200 OEM module.Sensor 265 s typically develops image signals via capacitive imaging.Elongated finger recess 6502 e may have a first knuckle locator 6590(FIG. 9 n) as are common in finger scanners available from Bioscrypt.

“Horizontally oriented finger loading of a finger, wherein a finger isloaded into recess 6502 e in an orientation generally horizontal to theplane or sensor 265 s (which in the specific embodiment shown isgenerally horizontal to horizontal plane P_(H)) is depicted in FIG. 9 i.For comparison, a short length recess may encourage a verticallyoriented finger loading as depicted previously in FIG. 12 c. Sidewall6524 partially defining both elongated recess 6502 e and cavity 6515 mayinclude substantially vertical extending wall portions. Preferably,however, sidewall 6524 is sloped as best seen in FIG. 9 b so thatsidewall 6524 provides support to a finger in contact with sidewall 6524in both lateral and vertical directions. Sidewall 6524 can include aconcave profile. It is understood, however, that sidewall 6524 need notbe configured to contact a finger. Sidewall 6524 need only provide spaceto accommodate a finger.

FIGS. 9 j-9 k show various embodiments of transaction terminals havingan elongated finger recess in use. As is depicted in FIGS. 9 j-9 k, auser may dispose his index finger in elongated finger recess 6502 e withhis middle finger in a flared, somewhat laterally pointing directionwithout a first knuckle (9 j and 9 k) or without substantially any part(9 j) of his middle finger substantially contacting an outer surfaceregions 6560 of housing 11, to be described herein.

The embodiment of FIG. 9 j includes an elongated finger recess length ofabout 2.5 inches. Such a length for recess 6502 e is highly advantageousin that sized to such a length, recess 6502 e is assured of receiving anaverage sized adult finger so that a second knuckle is substantiallycompletely received in recess 6502 e. In the embodiment of FIG. 9 j, abottom floor surface 6594 extends forward a planar sensor 265 s disposedproximate a distal end 6598 of recess 6502 e. Specifically in theembodiment of FIG. 9 j, floor surface 6594, throughout its entirelength, extends substantially coplanar with sensor 265 s so that anoverall length of recess 6502 e (from rear end 6598 to front end 6566defined by a front edge of floor surface 6594) is at least about 2.5inches.

FIGS. 9 j and 9 k illustrate typical and accepted use of a transactionterminal having an elongated finger recess according to the invention.Nevertheless, while outer surface region 6560 coextensive with elongatedfinger recess 6502 e in the embodiment of FIGS. 9 a, 9 d, and 9 e doesnot include a concave profile, outer surface region 6560 in theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 9 a, 9 d, and 9 e, is sloped downwardly ina lateral direction to provide a clearance, unlike system 6507, allowinga user to position his middle finger substantially in a commonhorizontal plane with his index finger and sensor 265 s when his indexfinger is received in elongated finger recess 6502 e. Further, theembodiments of FIGS. 9 a, 9 d, and 9 e are configured so that a user canrest his middle finger on surface 6560 during finger scanning to improvehand stability if he wishes to do so. In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 c,outer surface region 6560 of housing proximate recess 6502 e includesprinted matter or another type of marking in the general shape of amiddle finger. The printed matter marking of FIG. 9 c invites a user toplace his middle finger on surface region 6560 so that the stability andorientation of an index finger in elongated recess 6502 e is improved.In the embodiments of FIGS. 9 f and 9 h, outer surface region 6560 ofhousing 11 is specifically adapted to support a user's middle fingerwhile encouraging a user to position his middle finger in a positionthat is substantially in a common horizontal plane with the user's indexfinger (and sensor 265 s) received in finger recess 6502 e. In theembodiments of FIGS. 9 f and 9 h, outer surface region 6560 includes asloping sidewall having a concave profile. The concave profile surfaceregion 6560 of FIGS. 9 f and 9 h encourage a user to place his middlefinger, including one or two interior knuckle portions of his middlefinger, against surface 6560 during finger scanning. Recesses 6502 e and6560 in the embodiments of both FIGS. 9 f and 9 h are adjoined at theirrespective front ends.

It has been mentioned that elongated finger recess 6502 e shouldpreferably have a length of at least an average two knuckle length (ofat least about 1.75 in.).

Examples of what may be termed “two knuckle” elongated finger recess areshown in FIGS. 9 i and 9 j. In both of FIGS. 9 i and 9 j, elongatedfinger recess receives an average finger to about but not substantiallylonger than a two knuckle distance. In a highly useful variation of theinvention depicted in FIG. 9 k elongated finger recess 6502 e is sizedabout as long or longer than an average finger tip to web spacing (thatis, longer than about 2.5 inches) and housing 11 is configured so that aweb 6570 defined between index and middle fingers of a user is receivedat a web receiving are a 6580 of housing 11. Web receiving area 6580, inthe embodiment of FIG. 9 k, is defined at the interface between surface6524 and surface 6550 toward a front of housing 11. Housing 11 should beshaped so that web receiving area 6580 is lower than a plane of sensor265 s, or at least not substantially higher than sensor 265 s to the endthat horizontal finger loading in elongated finger recess 6502 e isencouraged. Accordingly, web receiving area 6580 can slope downwardlyfrom the rear to the front of transaction terminal 10 as seen in FIG. 9m. If sidewall 6524 of cavity/finger recess and the sidewall definingsurface 6560 slope laterally downwardly from an apex ridge 6582partially included in web receiving area 6580, then web receiving area6580 encourages a comfortable spreading between the index and middlefingers of a user, and therefore comfortable finger scanning with use ofterminal 10.

In a further aspect of the invention, described with reference to FIG.9L, housing 11 is contoured so that a border outline 6590 outlining asubstantial portion of a finger recess 6502 e is defined by housing 11.In the embodiments of FIG. 9L border outline section 6591 of a left sideof border outline 6590, extends approximately a (human average) twoknuckle distance. Border outline section 6592 of a right side of borderoutline 6590 (which is defined by apex ridge 6582 extends longer than afinger-tip-to web average spacing. A long, uninterrupted orsubstantially uninterrupted border outline 6590 extending generallycoextensively with a plane of sensor 265 s, particularly one extendingat least a finger tip to web average spacing distance on at least oneside of an elongated finger recess 6502 e further encourages a user toplace her finger in recess 6502 e in a horizontal loading orientation asdepicted in FIG. 9L.

Border outline 6590 described with reference to FIG. 9L is definedentirely by contours of housing 11. It will be understood, however, thatborder line 6590 could in the alternative or as a supplement be definedby printed matter markings (e.g. stickers, paint, molded-in colors,etc.) formed on housing 11.

Referring to FIG. 9 h a transaction terminal 10 is shown having aspaced-apart insert card reader 240 and elongated finger recess 6502 e.The transaction terminal 10 of FIG. 9 h demonstrates that the featuresof the invention relating to elongated finger recess 6502 e do not haveto be incorporated in an embodiment wherein an elongated finger recessis partially defined by a card cavity 6515, although the space andmaterial conservation advantages of forming recess 6502 e integral withcard cavity 6515, as have been described herein, are appreciated.

In FIG. 9 n, dimensional information relating to one specific embodimentof a transaction terminal 10 having an elongated finger recess 6502 e ispresented. In the embodiment of FIG. 9 n, elongated finger recess 6502 eincludes a length of about 3.28 inches a width of about 0.75 inches.Elongated finger recess 6502 e in the embodiment of FIG. 9 n is longerthan an average human index fingertip-to-web spacing distance.Transaction terminal 10 in the specific embodiment of FIG. 9 n includesa 6580 web receiving area 6580 (dashed in) adapted to receive a web 6570of a user's hand. Web receiving area 6580 includes a part of apex ridge6582 which is defined between the laterally downsloping surfaces of wall6524 (sloping downward right to left) and the laterally downslopingsurface of outer surface region 6560 (downward sloping left to right).Apex ridge 6582 encourages a comfortable spreading between an indexfinger and a middle finger of a user. Because elongated finger recess6502 e has surfaces contacting a large portion of an index finger,elongated finger recess 6502 e encourages a stable receipt of a indexfinger therein. As best seen in the side cutaway view associated withFIG. 9 n, web receiving area 6580 partially defined by apex ridge 6582gradually slopes downward from rear to front. At point 6591 a planeP_(FS), of sensor 265 s intersects apex ridge 6582. Accordingly, it isseen that a part of apex ridge 6582 within web receiving area 6580 isdefined above a plane P_(FS) of sensor 265 s and a part of apex ridge6582 within web receiving area 6580 is defined below a plane P_(FS) ofsensor 265 s. Such shaping of apex ridge 6582 encourages a substantiallyhorizontal loading orientation of an index finger in recess 6502 e.Referring to further aspects of the elongated finger recess 6502 e ofFIG. 9 n, the elongated finger recess of FIG. 9 n includes a rear region6592 and a forward region 6593. Rear region 6592 is partially defined bya substantially planar surface of sensor 265 s and interior walls havinga floor surface 6594 extending forwardly from sensor 265 s. Floorsurface 6594 extends substantially coplanar with a surface of sensor 265s, though walls of defining recess 6502 e can be slightly concave shapedto accommodate a shape of a finger. Rear region 6592 including sensor265 s and substantially coplanar forwardly extending floor surface hasan overall length of about 2.00 inches or about an average two knucklefinger (tip to second knuckle) distance. Forward region 6593 extendingforwardly from rear region 6592 is partially defined by sloping sidewall6524 which preferably has a slightly concave cross section so that it iswell-suited to accommodate a finger. In addition to partially definingelongated finger recess, sidewall 6524 partially defines card cavity6515, which is useful at least in that it helps a user to align a card90 within a slot of card reader 240.

Transaction terminal 10 can also include a retinal scan unit includingscanner 267 associated control circuit 268. A scan unit includingscanner 267 and control circuit 268 may be provided by components froman Icam 2001 retina scan unit available from Eye Dentify Corp. Controlcircuit 210 may perform identifications based on captured retinal scansignatures by transmitting captured electronic retinal signatures to anonintegrated computer system for identification, e.g. to Network 380,or by downloading a database of signatures from e.g. Network 380 foridentification by circuit 210. A retinal scanning transaction terminal10 is shown in FIGS. 1 m, 1 p, and 1 q showing a terminal having aretinal scanner 267 including a retinal scanner eyepiece 267 eintegrally formed in terminal housing 11.

Transaction terminal 10 further includes a touch pad screen 20 includinga display 234 and a touch pad overlay 230. Touch pad screen or “touchscreen” 20 displays information to a user such as prompt information, avirtual keypad, and advertising messages, etc. Touch screen 20 alsoserves as a means to input data. Touch screen 20 serves as both avirtual keypad and signature capture platform. Touch pad screen 20 maycomprise an LCD display 234 in combination with a touch screen overlay230. Display 234, e.g. may be a 5.7″¼ VGA (320×240) resolution color ormonochrome LCD screen of the type available from Nan Ya Corporation.Display 334 may be driven by an on-chip LCD controller available on amicrochip including circuit CPU 212 if circuit is appropriatelyselected, or in association with dedicated control circuit 235 as shownin FIG. 2 a. Referring to assembly view of FIG. 4 a LCD display 234 maybe mounted on LCD bracket 17 which is mounted to housing lower section11LW.

Touch screen overlay 230 may be, for example, a Nissa NIS/RC-872 overlaywith parallel interface. Touch screen overlay 230 typically operates inassociation with touch screen controller 231. Touch screen controlcircuit 231, like LCD circuit 235 can be integrated in an IC comprisingelements of control circuit 210. In the embodiment shown in assemblyview FIG. 4 a, display 234 includes a side-mounted back light unit 236.For increasing the uniformity of illumination, display 234 could includea top-mounted backlight 236 which would occupy positions along top edge234 e of display 234. Display 234 is disposed in housing 11 so that theside mounted back light unit 236 is housed in terminal 10 on a side ofterminal 10 opposite reader unit 240. Increasing the distance betweenbacklight unit 236 and mag stripe reader 241 reduces the effect ofelectromagnetic interference from backlight unit 236. In the specificembodiment described, backlight unit 236 is powered by inverter 237which converts DC power output by power system 238 into high voltage ACpower for powering backlight 236.

As shown in FIGS. 8 a and 8 b and in accordance with a further aspect ofthe invention, touch screen 20 and more specifically overlay 230 oftouch screen 20 may be configured to be divided into zones 806 and 808,wherein zone 808 is optimized for stylus data entry and zone 806 isoptimized for entry of information by actuation by a user's finger.Overlay 230 as best seen in a conceptual schematic diagram of FIG. 8 acomprises a series of layers 810, 812, and 814, which vary in numberdepending on the selection (make and model number) of touch screenoverlay 230. Touch screen overlay 230 includes a top layer 810, which,as will be described, preferably comprises a single uniform sheet oflight transmissive material.

The inventors found that the optimal configuration for touch screenoverly 230 varies depending on the intended actuation mechanism fortouch screen 20. In certain applications, touch screens are designatedfor actuation by a finger, in other application stylus 74 and in otherapplications, such as in terminal 10, both. Touch screen overlayscomprise support mechanisms known as “microdots” 820 which areinterposed between two layers of overlay 230 as best seen in FIG. 8 a.The inventors found that the positioning of microdots 820 whichoptimizes overlay 230 for receipt of finger-entered data is not the samepositioning which optimizes overlay 230 for stylus-entered data.Notably, the inventors found that in order to optimize touch screen 20for finger-entered information, microdots 820 should be spaced to alarger average spacing distance than in a touch screen optimized forstylus-entered data.

In the invention described with reference to FIGS. 8 a and 8 b touchscreen 20 is divided into two zones, a finger entry zone 806 and astylus entry zone 808. Preferably stylus entry zone 808 is locatedforwardly of finger entry zone 806 in terminal 10 as seen in FIG. 8 b sothat a user can readily view a virtual keyboard displayed in fingeractuated zone 806, or other display messages of touch screen 20 in zone806 while entering signature information into stylus entry zone 808. Infinger actuation entry zone 806, as shown by FIGS. 8 a and 8 b,microdots 820 are spaced to an average spacing distance that is largerthan in stylus entry zone 808, wherein microdots 820 are spaced closertogether than in zone 806.

Preferably, the remaining characteristics of overlay 230 remain as theywould have been in the absence of the described microdot spacingvariation. That is, layers 810, 812, and 814 of touch screen overlay 230remain single unitary sheets of light transmissive material. Zones 806and 808 could also comprise separate and x-y dimension spaced apartsections of layering material. However, such a configuration, amongother disadvantages would not allow a person entering signatureinformation to exceed the bounds of signature zone during the course ofentering signature data and still have the signature data received.

Prior to the invention shown and described with reference to FIGS. 8 aand 8 b, touch screen overlays 230, sometimes referred to as “panels”were known to be available only in configurations having uniform “dotpitches”, or “resolutions”.

Commercially available “high resolution” or “fine pitch” touch screenoverlays 230, such as are exemplified by a Nissha RTC-A1 touch screenoverlay, are configured to receive inputted data substantially only viastylus 74. High resolution touch screens require a substantiallyconcentrated point contact by an input source for registration of dataentry. Accordingly, high resolution touch screens having high resolutiontouch screen overlays generally do not register data when a userattempts to enter data by finger contact.

“Low resolution” or “course pitch” touch screen overlays 230, such asare exemplified by a Fujitsu N010-0518-T401 register data entry eitherby a stylus 74 or by a finger. A problem with use of low resolutiontouch screens, however, is that such touch screen 20 sometimeserroneously registers unwanted data. For example, as describedhereinabove, if a user unintentionally contacts low resolution touchscreen 20 with a finger or another part of her hand during the signatureentry process, a low resolution touch screen 20 may erroneously registera data entry. The problem of erroneous data entry with use of a lowresolution touch screen can be substantially reduced by configuringterminal 10 to include a raised surface at least along one edge ofterminal 10 bordering touch screen 20, as described herein relative toFIGS. 4 e-4 k. Nevertheless, problems of erroneous data entry maypersist. The combination of a high resolution touch screen overlay and adisplay is referred to herein as a “high resolution touch screen”. Thecombination of a low resolution touch screen overlay and a display isreferred to here as a “low resolution touch screen”.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, control circuit 210may be configured to execute a signature data entry program whichmonitors data received from touch screen 20 to determine if data isentered outside of a signature entry are 2008 (see FIG. 4 g) of touchscreen 20 during the course or receiving signature data. If a controlcircuit 210 determines that data is received from outside a signatureentry area 2008, control circuit 210 displays a prompt message whichprompts a user to maintain her entry of data to a signature area 2008.The user then completes the signature entry process, and terminal 10 cancapture a complete or substantially complete signature in spite ofreceiving some data outside of area 2008.

A flow diagram illustrating operation of a signature entry feature isdescribed with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 4 m. At block 2030control circuit 210 displays on touch screen 20 a signature capturescreen 2002 as shown in FIG. 4 g. Signature capture screen 2002 includesa signature entry area 2008 and text messages including “PLEASE SIGNHERE”, “CLEAR” and “DONE”, 2010, 2012, and 2014. The CLEAR and DONE textmessages 2012 and 2014, respectively, are control buttons which areactuated by finger or stylus contacting of the displayed messages. If auser presses CLEAR button 2012 control circuit 210 stops display of thesignature entry screen 2002 and reverts to a previous operating mode orerases from display 20 data corresponding to signature data enteredprior to the time clear button 2012 is actuated. When a user hascompleted entry of a signature, a user presses DONE button 2014. Touchscreen overlay 230 of touch screen 20 continuously reports to controlcircuit 210 the X,Y coordinates of data point entries made into touchscreen 20.

Continuing with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 4 m, controlcircuit 210 at block 2032 monitors X,Y entry data from touch screen 20to determine if CLEAR button 2012 has been actuated, and exits thesignature capture mode (or erases signature data, block 2034) if CLEARbutton 2012 has been actuated. At block 2036 control circuit 210monitors touch screen coordinate data to determine whether DONE button2014 has been actuated. If DONE button 2014 is actuated, control circuit210 proceeds to block 2038 to execute a next processing routine forprocessing of the entered signature data. Such a next processing routinemay include, e.g. compressing, transmitting, recognizing, authenticatingand/or encrypting of the entered signature information.

At block 2040 control circuit 210 determines if the X,Y coordinate datareceived from touch screen 20 is out of range. More specifically,control circuit memory 216 has stored therein coordinate datarepresenting signature capture area 2008. At block 2040 control circuit210 determines if X,Y coordinate data received from touch screen 20 isincluded in X,Y coordinate data representing signature entry area 2008.If a user during signature entry, intentionally or unintentionallycontacts with a finger or other hand part, a portion of touch screen 20outside of area 2008 in a manner sufficient to register a data entry,touch screen 20 will likely report back to control circuit 210 a dataentry coordinate point that is the average of the point of contact bythe user's hand and the point of contact by stylus 74. Control circuit210 will recognize such a coordinate value as being outside of signaturecapture area 2008 if the point of contact by the user's hand issufficiently spaced apart from area 2008. If control circuit 210 atblock 2040 determines that the coordinate data is in range controlcircuit 210 proceeds to block 2044 to display the data point. If controlcircuit 210 determines at block 2040 that the coordinate data is out ofrange control circuit 210 proceeds to block 2042.

At block 2042, control circuit 210 may display a text message on touchscreen 20 advising a user to remove his/her hand from touch screen 20.An example of such a text message is shown in FIG. 4L. In the example ofFIG. 4L, control circuit 210 displays the text message “SIGNATURE ONLYPLEASE”, 2048 superimposing the message 2048 on recorded and displayedsignature data 2049. Control circuit 210 could also display promptmessage 2048 on another area of touch screen 20. By retaining display ofthe entered signature data up to the last valid data point during theoutput of the prompt message, the feedback system allows a user todiscern precisely the extent to which presently entered signature datahas adequately been registered, and allows a user to discern the pointat which she should continue with stylus entry of signature data.

In the specific example of FIG. 4L, the prompt message displayed is“Signature Only, Please”. Other messages are possible, e.g. “Please DoNot Contact Screen Outside of Signature Zone,” etc. Further, the displayon screen 2002 of a prompt message 2048 can be coupled with an actuationof a light source and/or an acoustic output. For example, controlcircuit, 210 may cause one or more of (1) flashing or other control ofdisplay backlight 236 (FIG. 4 a), (2) flashing or other control of LED287L, (3) actuation of audio output 276 to emit a beep or voice message(e.g. a voice message advising a user to maintain data entry to withinarea 2008) when control circuit 210 determines at block 2040 that datareceived from touch screen 20 is out of range (is invalid).

With further reference to FIG. 4 m, it is seen that control circuit 210continuously executes a control loop to display prompt message 2048(block 2042) until at block 2040 control circuit 210 determines thatcoordinate data received from touch screen 20 is in range (indicatingthat a hand part has been removed from a non-signature capture area ofscreen). When control circuit 210 determines that received coordinatedata is in range, control circuit 210 proceeds to block 2044 to plot, ordisplay a data point on screen 20, and additional data points if thereceived data remains in range. Accordingly, the feedback systemdescribed with reference to FIG. 4 m warns a user as soon as there is anerror in data entry, encourages a user to quickly rectify the problem,and allows terminal 10 to capture a complete or substantially completesignature in spite of there being a problem with data entry during asignature entry procedure.

Another user-prompt feature which can be incorporated in transactionterminal 10 is described with reference to FIG. 4 n. Transactionterminal 10 can include a manual insert style mag stripe reader, or canbe configured so that when operating in a mag stripe card reading modeof operation control circuit 210 displays the prompt message 2410 asshown in FIG. 4 n. Specifically, control circuit 210 can display theprompt message “INSERT CARD AND REMOVE QUICKLY” when operating in a magstripe card reading mode. The inventors tested a version of transactionterminal 10 substantially as described, which in a card reading modedisplayed the prompt message “INSERT CARD”. In a sample of 53 persons,42 (79%), left card 90 in reader 240. When the transaction terminal 10,was reconfigured to display message 2410 as shown in FIG. 4 n during acard reading mode, the problem of persons leaving a card 90 in slot 345during a card reading mode was substantially eliminated. Prompt message2410 prompting a user to remove a card quickly substantially improvescard reading.

Referring to further components of terminal 10, terminal 10 may includesecure circuit block 220, to be described in greater detail herein incommunication with circuit 210 for preventing theft of electronicallystored information such as PIN information.

Still further, transaction terminal 10 includes at least one andpreferably more than one communication interface for providingcommunication with an external computer system such as a cash register340 or a computer system 350 and 360 of a POS network to be describedherein. In the specific embodiment shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2a terminal 10 includes an ethernet interface 250, a USB interface 252 anRS485 IBM Tailgate Interface 253, an RS 232 interface 254. Referring toFIGS. 3 f and 3 g, including multiple interfaces in terminal 10 yieldsimportant advantages. When transaction terminal 10 is in communicationwith cash register via cable 60, to be described herein it is common toconcurrently connect terminal 10 via line 61 (typically an ethernetline) directly to retailer server 350. Accordingly, data andinstructional communications which are beyond the capacity of cashregister 340 (which is often a legacy system) to support can be carriedout via direct link 61 between server 350 or (if terminal 10 is properlyequipped) another computer system e.g. HUB 360, Network 322.

Terminal 10 can also include such interfaces as a PCMCIA interface 255in communication with a PCMCIA slot connector 44. Slot connecter 44 mayreceive, for example, an RF communication card, a flash memory card, anoptical reader PCMCIA card or other commonly available PCMCIA cards.PCMCIA slot connector 44 may be disposed to be accessible from theoutside of housing 11 or else PCMCIA slot connector 44 may be accessiblefrom the interior of housing 11 only. An RF or other wireless type ofinterface may also be provided in hard-wired communication with controlcircuit 210, e.g. an IR interface 277, shown in FIG. 2 b. Electricalcircuitry associated with the above types of components are morecommonly being packaged in a packaged IC that comprises elements ofcontrol circuit 210.

In accordance with the invention, several interfaces can be physicallypackaged to terminate at housing 11 of terminal 10 in a singleelectrical connector port 42. As will be discussed in greater detailherein transaction terminal 10 is commonly connected in communicationwith a cash register 340 which is PC based or PC compatible. Cashregisters commonly comprise at least one of four major types ofcommunication connector ports: PC USB, IBM retail USB, RS232 or RS485physical connector ports, each having a different PIN configuration. Inaccordance with the invention, terminal 10 includes a universalconnector port 42 which includes a plurality of pins, wherein at least afirst pin or group 51 of pins P are in communication with a first typeof interface (e.g. USB), at least a second pin or group of pins 52 arein communication within a second type of interface (e.g. RS 232).Universal connector port 42 of terminal 10 may include additional groupsof pins in communication with additional types of interface. Forexample, a third group of pins 53 may be in communication with a thirdtype of interface (e.g. RS485)certain types of interfaces may be adaptedso that pins “P” of universal port 42 are shared. For example, RS 232and RS 485 interfaces can be adapted so that pins of the interfaces areshared with use of switching circuitry 272 as will be described herein.

When terminal 10 comprises universal connector port 42, a supplier ofterminal 10 supplies along with terminal 10 a cable 60 for connectionwith universal connector 42 which is available in one of N varieties,where N is the number of interfaces that universal connector port 42 isin communication with within terminal 10. Thus, if universal connectorport 42 is connected to four different interfaces (RS 232, RS485, IBMretail USB, PC USB), then a supplier 10 will make available cable 60 inone of four varieties. Each variety of cable 60 will have a proximal endconnector 61 which interfaces with universal connector 42. Thus, ifuniversal connector is a 15 socket connector, the proximal end of eachvariety of cable will include a proximal end connector 61 having 15pins. The varieties of cables will differ in the connector of distal end62. The first variety of cable will have distal end connector 62 inaccordance with the standard connector form of the first type ofinterface, the second variety of cable 60 will have a distal endconnector 62 in accordance with the standard connector format of thesecond type of interface and so on. A customer will order theappropriate variety of cable from a supplier depending on the type ofinterface terminal that will be interfaced within a cash register orother host computer system. In the alternative, a supplier may supplyeach of several cable varieties to a customer and the customer may chosethe appropriate cable, and may switch cables if terminal 10 is requiredto communicate with a different interface. It can be seen that theproduct supply system including universal connector port 42 andassociated customer selected cable 60 greatly reduces the sizerequirements of terminal back end 11 rr. The universal connector andcable product supply system also significantly reduces the cost ofterminal 10 without compromising functionality, since it reduces thenumber of physical connector ports that have to be integrated duringassembly at terminal back end 11 rr.

In a further aspect of the universal connector port feature of theinvention, control circuit, 210 polls the contents of designatedinterface identifier, or “cable select pins” 42 cs pins of connector 42.When the various cables 60 are made, conductors of cable 60 are wired sothat the two conductors of cable 60 which supply the interfaceidentifier pins of interface 42 supply the identifier pins with a uniquesignature indicative of the interface to which distal end 62 of cable 60is interfaced with. For example, it will be seen that a set of cables 60can be configured so that a first variety of cable supplies interfaceidentifier pins of connector 42 with a signature of 00 indicative of aninterface of a first type, a second variety supplies a signature of 01indicative of an interface of a second type, a third variety of cable 60supplies a signature 10 indicative of an interface of a third type, anda fourth variety of cable supplies a signature 11 of a fourth type whendistal end connector 62 is connected to a device. More specifically,cable 60 can be made to provide a signature indicative of the cable typeby manufacturing cable 60 of each variation in a complementary fashionwith the voltage supply to connector 42 so that the lines of cable 60interfacing with cable select pins 42 cs of connector 42 return a highlogic value to control circuit 210, unless the lines interfacing withcable select pins 42 cs are connected within the length of cable orconnector 61 to ground. Therefore, by grounding out one line thatinterfaces with a cable select pin 42 cs, a logic 0 is returned to thecable select pin 42 cs. By grounding out both lines of cable 60interfacing with cable select pins 42 cs, two low data points (i.e. a 00signature) is returned to cable select pins 42 cs. Accordingly, it canbe seen that circuit 210 can be made to automatically identify theinterface to which cable 60 is connected to, and can automaticallyadjust controls of I/O interface, of related circuit terminal 10accordingly.

Additional features of the invention in an exemplary embodiment areunderstood with reference to the system architecture of FIG. 2 b.Referring to interface-related features, RS 232 and 485 interfaces 254,252 can share a common asynchronous receiver-transceiver as seen byDUART 278. A switching function indicated in FIG. 2 a by block 251 forswitching the path between connector 42 and interfaces 254, and 253 canbe provided by 232/485 level transceiver 272, which may be provided by aLinear Technology Model LTC 1387 Single 5U RS232/RS485 MultiprotocolTransceiver. Continuing with reference to FIG. 2 b, IC chip 209 carryingCPU 212 can package certain interface circuitry such as USB interfacingcircuits 252 and an IRDA interface 277. General I/O port 208 may provideoutput to indicator 287L and audio output 276 the latter, of which aprogrammer user may configure for operation with use of scriptprogramming or other programming, which will be described herein. In theexemplary embodiment, IC chip 209 is in communication with system BUS207 which includes address and data buffer 274. In the exemplaryembodiment system RAM 217 and system ROM 218 are provided. Additionallychip 209 including CPU 212 includes limited on-board RAM 217 and ROM218. Terminal 10 in the embodiment of FIG. 2 b is powered by a multiplevoltage power system circuit 238 which distributes power to PCB 290.System 238 distributes power originating from, for example, a seriallyinterfaced device, as indicated by USB box 252, an AC/DC power supply239, e.g. a wall outlet plug-in power pack, and/or a rechargeablebattery 268.

With reference to the transaction cycle flow diagram of FIG. 3 a, anenvironment in which transaction terminal 10 may operate in accordancewith the invention is described in greater detail.

Typically, transaction terminal 10 is disposed in a retail store Kiosk,or customer service desk. When a customer makes a transaction using acredit card or a debit card, an electronic benefits card (EBC) orcustomer loyalty card, a customer, at STEP 1, inserts a card into insertreader to read the card. A customer may, in addition, be prompted byterminal 10 to enter PIN information into terminal 10, and may beprompted to write a signature on the terminal 10 so that terminal 10 cancapture a signature.

About the time that a customer inserts a card into terminal 10, a salesassociate, at STEP 2, enters the sales amount into POS network 300, tobe described in more detail wherein, using e.g. a keypad 340K of cashregister 340, or a bar code reader 342 or 263. In the alternative, thedollar amount can be entered into transaction terminal 10 at STEP 2. AtSTEP 3, transaction terminal 10 communicates a customer's cardinformation data determined from a reading of the card and othertransaction data to POS network 300. Transaction terminal 10 may alsocommunicate PIN information of a customer to POS 300 as part of STEP 3.Also, a transaction terminal may communicate a captured signature to POSnetwork 300 as part of STEP 3. More typically however, a signature maybe captured by terminal 10 and transmitted to POS network 300 afterauthorization is complete as will be described herein. Signature datamay be achieved for use in a signature recognition system by a retailerfor recognition by a computer system of retailer POS Network 300 or as athird party, e.g. at a computer at 380. Transaction terminal 10 may alsostore signature data for later processing, which may be performed on abatch basis. Transaction terminal 10 may also archive other transactiondata.

POS (Point-of Sale) Network 300, as is indicated in FIG. 3 a, can takeon a variety of forms. In any one of the layouts described, transactionterminal 10 can be considered part of POS network 300 once it isconnected to POS network 300. In one simple form, as is indicated byFIG. 3 b, POS Network 300 can comprise a modem 346 (e.g. cable ordial-up) or other communication device which provides communicationdebit network 320 or credit card network 322. Credit network 322 anddebit network 320 may be the same network.

In another embodiment as indicated in FIG. 3 c, POS network 300 and300-2 may comprise a cash register 340. Cash registers are currentlyavailable in two popular forms. A PC POS system cash register 340 and340-1, as shown in FIG. 3 d, typically includes a personal computerhoused in a standardly known PC housing 340PC and multiple interfacingor associated components including bar code reader 342, keyboard 340K,cash register drawer 340D, printer 340P, and monitors 340M. A dedicatedPOS Cash register, as shown in FIG. 3 g includes the functionality of aPC and typically includes several of the above components (keyboard,monitor, printer, drawer) except that the components are housed in anintegrated housing. Cash registers are equipped with communicationinterfaces e.g. dial-up or cable modem interfaces, USB interfaces,ethernet interfaces including wireless and nonwireless, which enablecommunication with external computer systems, including Terminal 10 andPOS Network 300. In one embodiment, POS Network 300 comprises a cashregister only and cash register 340 is adapted to communicate directlywith a debit network 320 or credit card network 322.

Another embodiment of POS network 300 and 300-3 is shown in FIG. 3 c. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 3 c transaction terminal communicates with onecash register 340, while cash register 340 is one of several cashregisters that is in communication with server 350, in an in-store localarea network (LAN). In the embodiment of FIG. 3 c in-store server 350 isin communication with debit network 320 and credit card network 322.

In yet another embodiment of POS network described with reference toFIG. 3 e, POS Network 300 and 300-4 includes at least one computersystem hub 360 which is under the control of a retailer yet locatedoff-site with respect to transaction terminal and other in-store devicessuch as cash registers or other transaction terminals and servers. Hub360 may be in communication with, and may be adapted to monitor andcontrol financial data transaction emanating from a plurality ofin-store servers. Hub 360 may be controlled by a retailer that operatesseveral stores at several different locations e.g. Store 1, Store 2, andStore 3. Further, there may be more than a layer of hubs. A retailer mayoperate a local hub which receives transactional data from each ofseveral in-store servers located at several different stores located ina given municipality. Several of these local hubs, in turn, may transmittransactional data to a regional hub. Several regional hubs, maytransmit transactional data to a centralized national hub. Severalnational hubs, in theory, can transmit transaction data to a singleworld-wide hub operated by a retailer having retail stores worldwide. Itis seen that hubs and the layering of hubs provide a means for retailersto monitor transactions conducted throughout several retail stores. Hub360 is often owned and operated by a retailer who owns or operates aretail store in which transaction Terminal 10 is located. However, Hub360 may also be owned by a third party service provider, and the retailstore owner may subscribe to a processing service provided by the thirdparty. Such third-party operated hubs operated in the interest of aretailer shall herein be considered to be operated by a retailer. POSNetwork 300-4 of FIG. 3 e is divided into zones. Zone 1 delineates thehardware components typically located in a first store, zone 2delineates the network component typically located in a second store,zone 3, refers to components which are typically located at a thirdstore, while zone x refers to components which are typically locatedoff-site with respect to any store.

As indicated in the embodiment of FIG. 3 e a POS Network 300 can also beconsidered to include various computer systems operated by parties otherthan a retailer or for example, a POS Network can include a DistributionNetwork 370. Distribution Network 370 refers to the computer systemsoperated by distribution service providers who receive transactionaldata from a retailer (e.g. from a computer system, a POS terminal suchas terminal 10, a hub, a server, and a cash register) and evaluate theavailability of several debit or credit card networks and route the datato one selected debit or credit card networks 320 or 322 based on anestablished criteria. Some transactions are processed without beingrouted through distribution networks and others are, normally dependenton the selection made by a retailer.

In a further aspect of POS Network 300, POS Network 300 can be incommunication with another computer Network 380, which may be theInternet (World Wide Web). Connecting POS Network 300 to another Network380 allows POS Network 300 to readily access information from a widevariety of computer databases, which information is pertinent tofinancial transactions. For example, by way of communication withNetwork 380, POS Network 380 can access such information as drive,license identification information, consumer credit rating information,consumer criminal record information, sales history information,consumer demographic data, and other consumer information. Aspects ofthe invention relating to access of information from Network 380 will bediscussed in greater detail herein.

Continuing with reference to the transaction cycle flow diagram of FIG.3 a, at STEP 4, POS Network 300 routes transaction data either a debitnetwork 320 or a credit card network 322 depending on the card type(debit or credit). Debit network 320 is a network of computer systemsoperated by a debit card agency. Credit card network 322, a network ofcomputer systems operated by a credit card supplier, such as Visa orMasterCard or a retailer issued credit card. After a transaction isapproved by an Issuing Bank, Network 300 notifies POS Network 300 ofsuch approval.

At STEP 5 debit card or credit card network 320 and 322 transmit thetransaction data to a computer system (or a network of computer systems)operated by an Issuing Bank 330. Issuing Bank 330 provides a number ofimportant functions in relation to the transaction processing cycle.Issuing bank (1) makes sure that a customer's account has sufficientfunds; (2) charges a customer's account for a transaction; (3) charges acustomer's account for any applicable fees in relation to thetransaction, and distributes the funds to appropriate parties (e.g.Distribution Network operators); and (4) monitors for card holder fraud,(5) may automatically preliminarily authorize small dollar transactions,and (6) may preliminarily authorize transactions based on riskcalculations which cannot be authorized because of technical problems(e.g. Network 322 is down); (7) capture and store a data record of thetransaction.

At STEP 6, Issuing Bank 330 debits a customer's account, and may, aspart of STEP 6, initiate action to obtain payment of the debt (if creditcard transaction from a customer). For example, Issuing Bank 330 maysend a bill to a customer's home mailing address notifying a customer ofan amount of a debt. As part of STEP 6, Issuing Bank 330 mayautomatically notify a customer of a debit via email communication to acustomer's email address, or may post a notice on the Issuing Bank'swebsite so that the notice is read when a customer opens his accountinformation from the Issuing Bank's website.

At STEP 7, POS Network 300 sends transaction data to a computer system anetwork of computer systems operated by an Acquiring Bank and AcquiringBank 332 appropriately credits a retailer's account by the amount of thetransaction less any fees. Acquiring Bank (1) credits a retailer'saccount (2) charges the retailer any applicable fees and distributesthese fees to appropriate entities involved in the transaction (e.g.Distribution network operators), (2) monitors for collection fraud, and(4) supplies information and customer service to a retailer, in partthrough communication with POS Network 300. Typically, STEP 7 is a batchprocess performed e.g. after business hours, whereas STEPS 1 through 6described herein are all performed automatically after a transaction isinitiated, within seconds of one another (except the nonelectronicmailing step described as part of STEP 6). In some instances STEP 7, iscarried out with manual data entry and human observation of financialdata records.

Some further aspects of possible transactions involving Terminal 10 canbe understood with reference to the following examples, EXAMPLE I andEXAMPLE II, wherein the term “host” in Example I and Example II is usedto refer to a computer system or network of computer systems interposedbetween a cash register and a debit/credit networks 320 and 322 asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 3 a., e.g. a “server,” or a“hub,” or a network comprising a plurality of servers and/or hubs.

EXAMPLE I Debit Transaction and Authorization

The purchaser may initiate the transaction or be prompted by the POSdevice. Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) using magnetic stripe cardsor smart cards is similar to a debit transaction. Rules and exactprocedures varies by State. Note: “Off-line debit” processes as if itwere a credit card transaction. Ordering of steps:

-   -   (A) Associate 312 initiates a new sale and begins scanning        items;    -   (B) Purchaser 310 selects their payment option=debit;    -   (C) Terminal 10 saves customer selection=debit;    -   (D) Purchaser 310 inserts their card on the terminal MSR/SCR;    -   (E) Terminal 10 stores the credit card track data;    -   (F) Terminal 10 request PIN;    -   (G) Purchase 310 enters PIN;    -   (H) Terminal 10 encrypts PIN block and stores the result;    -   (I) Terminal 10 waits for POS 340 terminal request;    -   (J) Associate 312 completes the sale;    -   (K) POS 340 sends sale total to Terminal 10, waits for reply;    -   (L) Terminal 10 displays total and prompts the purchase for        “cash back”;    -   (M) Purchaser 310 responds to cash back prompt, “yes”+amount or        “no”; Terminal 10 requests confirmation and displays new total;    -   (N) Terminal 10 replies to POS 340 with track data, PIN block        and “debit” flag;    -   (O) POS 340 sends the amount(s), card data, PIN block, terminal        ID, etc. to host 300;    -   (P) Host 300 adds merchant data and forwards to authorization        Network 320;    -   (Q) Network 320 translates PIN block encryption to Zone key        (Each network switch and processor translates the incoming PIN        block to the encryption algorithm and key of the next zone);    -   (R) Network 320 examines card Bank ID Number (BIN) and routes to        issuing bank;    -   (S) Issuer 330 checks account balance, account status, and fraud        data;    -   (T) Issuer 330 verifies PIN;    -   (U) Issuer 330 replies “yes” or “no” for authorization or an        error code;    -   (V) Network 320 sends issuer response to retailer host;    -   (W) Host 300 routes the issuer/network response to a POS        terminal 340;    -   (X) POS 340 notifies associate of issuer response;    -   (Y) POS 340 sends message to Terminal 10 authorized or declined.

If authorized, the transaction is complete from the Terminal 10 point ofview.

Note: All PIN-based payments are encrypted. Responses are not encryptedor secure.

End of Example I EXAMPLE II Credit Transaction and Authorization

The following describes typical credit card transaction flow in U.S.networks for transactions initiated on a connected POS terminal.

The purchaser may initiate the transaction or be prompted by the POSdevice.

-   -   (A) Associate 312 initiates a new sale and begins scanning        items;    -   (B) Purchaser 310 selects their payment option=credit;    -   (C) Terminal 10 saves customer selection=credit;    -   (D) Purchaser 310 inserts their card on the terminal MSR/SCR;    -   (E) Terminal 10 stores the credit card track data, waits for POS        terminal request;    -   (F) Associate 312 completes the sale;    -   (G) POS 340 sends a message to the Terminal 10=“send data”;    -   (H) Terminal 10 replies to POS with track data and “credit”        flag;    -   (I) POS 340 sends transaction amount, card data, terminal ID,        etc. to host along with merchant data;    -   (J) Host 300 adds merchant data and forwards to authorization to        network;    -   (K) Network 320 examines card Bank ID Number (BIN) and routes to        issuer;    -   (L) Issuer 330 checks account balance and fraud data;    -   (M) Issuer 330 replies “yes” or “no” for authorization or an        error code;    -   (N) Network 320 sends issuer response to retailer host;    -   (O) Host 300 routes the issuer/network response to the POS        terminal;    -   (P) POS 340 notifies associate of issuer response;    -   (Q) POS 340 sends message to Terminal 10, authorized or        declined.    -   (R) Purchaser 310 signs signature on touch screen 320;    -   (S) Signature saved at terminal 10 and/or transmitted to POS for        further processing (e.g. signature recognition).

If authorized, the transaction is complete from the Terminal 10 point ofview.

Note: In the United States, credit transactions are not encrypted.Responses are not encrypted or secure. Credit transactions that areprocessed in Canada are encrypted and use MACing for data integrity.

End of Example II

Referring to further aspects of the invention, housing 11 of terminal 10includes a number of important features which will now be described ingreater detail. Housing includes a, top 11 t, a bottom 11 b, a firstside 11 s, a second side 11 s, a back end 11 rr, and a front 11 f. Asbest seen in FIG. 1 e, top 11 t which being substantially flat is angleddownward slightly from back 11 rr housing to front 11 f. Because touchscreen 20 is disposed substantially flush with top 11 t of housing 11the angling of top 11 r enables a user to more readily observe indiciaof housing when terminal 10 is disposed on a flat surface, e.g. acounter top. Housing 11 further includes a head 11 h including housingtop 11 t and a base 11 bs including bottom 11 b.

Referring to aspects of bottom of housing 11 b with reference to FIGS. 1j and 1 k, bottom 11 b of housing 11 includes at least three andpreferably four or five feet 15, typically comprised of rubberadhesively attached material which stabilizes housing 11 on a countertop. The at least three feet 15 define a plane P_(B) on which housing 11may rest. Housing 11 may further include detachable riser 11 r alsoincluding at least three and preferably five feet 15-r. Detachable riser11 r operates to increase the height of transaction terminal 10 where aheight increase makes use of terminal 10 easier. As best seen in FIG. 1e, head 11 h of housing 11 extends forwardly from base 11 bs to define alip 11L, and mold support section lisp of housing 11 which supportshybrid reader 240 is defined in the lip 11L of housing 11. It is seenthat if housing 11 is fixed mounted on an edge of a table top so thatlip 11L extends outwardly from the edge, the riser 11 r may beunnecessary since a user's hand will not encounter substantialinterference from counter top when inserting a card 90 into reader 240.However, if transaction terminal 10 is to be mounted or rested away froman edge of a counter top, attachment of riser 11 r to housing main body11 mb will improve the accessability of reader 240 to a user, and willprevent the table top from substantially interfering with a user's handwhen a user inserts a card 90 into insert reader 240. Attachment ofriser 11 r will also benefit access to a reader by a user's hand whereterminal base 11 bs is mounted flush on a vertical wall, beam or post.Thus, it is seen that attachment of riser 11 r improves theaccessability of reader 240 under certain mounting or placementconditions while attachment of riser 11 r reduces the size of terminal10 under other mounting or placement conditions. The “feet” of terminalas will be referred to herein shall refer to feet 15 r of integratedhousing bottom 11 b when no riser is attached to housing main body 11nb, and to the to feet 15-r of riser 11 r when riser 11 r is attached tomain body 11 mb. Riser 11 r may be made detachably attachable to housingmain body 11 mb by way of a pin and key-slot arrangement as shown inFIGS. 1 j and 1 k. Riser 11 r may include headed pins (not shown) whichare fitted into hole sections 17 h of key slots 17 formed on bottom, andthe riser 11 r may be detachably engaged on body 11 mb by sliding theheaded pins into slot section 17 s of key slots 17. As indicated in theembodiment of FIG. 1 r, riser 11 r may also be of a type that is boltedinto integral bottom 11 b of terminal by driving bolts through boltholes 23 of riser 11 r. Other fasteners for detachably attaching riser11 r to main body 11 mb can of course be used, such as clips andadhesives (e.g double sided adhesive pads).

As seen in FIGS. 1 g and 1 j, key slots 17 and 17 r are useful indetachably mounting terminal 10 in a mounted mode of operation tomounting (e.g walls, posts, retailer mounting apparatuses, horizontalsurfaces) members having pins (not shown) for receiving key slots 17 and17-b, so that at any time terminal 10 can be detached and used on ahorizontal surface such as a countertop in an unmounted mode ofoperation.

As shown in FIG. 1 f risers need not be made of a uniform height. Wedgeshaped riser 11 r-w, for example, is useful in certain applications.Wedge riser 11 r-w may be detachably attached to terminal main body 11mb and then terminal 10 including main body 11 mb and wedge riser 11 r-wmay be mounted to a vertical member such as a wall, a vertical beam, ora post. The mounting method results in plane P_(R) of reader slot 245,and plane P_(S) of screen 20 being moved to a position that is closer tothe parallel position with respect to the horizontal plane. Many userswill find insert reader 240 easier to use if it is oriented in a planetilted forwardly toward the horizontal plane relative to the verticalplane.

Dimensional information relating to terminal 10 in one exemplarypreferred embodiment is summarized in FIGS. 1 r, 1 s, 1 t and 1 uwherein dimensional information is given in inches. In an exemplaryembodiment as seen in FIG. 1 u, feed path slot 245 is positioned about 1inch off ground level and 2 inches off ground level with riser 11 rattached, which in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 r includes aheight of about 1 inch. The inventors found that with such a heightrange of slot 245, preferred angles for angling feed slot plane, P_(f),are between about 2° and 12° with a most preferred angle being about 7°.The inventors found that at angles greater than this range, at theheight range of between about 1 and 2 inches, card 90 became difficultto insert into reader 240 though the difficulty can be alleviated bymounting terminal on an edge of a counter or by increasing its height.At angles less than the above range, the benefits of angling, discussedfully herein, though substantial, were determined to be outweighed bythe design and assembly costs attendant to such angling. Because theoptions for angling of plane P_(s) are not limited by card insertionconcerns, it is seen that plane P_(s) can normally be angled at asteeper angle than plane P_(f). However with such inconsistent angling,the benefits yielded by essentially coplanar positioning of plane P_(f)and plane P_(s) to be described more fully herein would not be yielded.

Additional advantages of the positioning of slot 245 according to theinvention are described with reference to FIGS. 7 a and 7 bm wherein 7 ais a functional diagram of slot 245 disposed parallel to horizontalplane P_(H), FIG. 7 b is a functional diagram of slot 245 disposed at aslight angle with respect to horizontal plane P_(H), and arrows 710 and711 indicate the general direction of card 90 when it is removed fromfeed slot 245. It is seen by observation of either embodiment, thepositioning of slot 245 substantially in horizontal plane P_(H) yieldsthe possibility of a “fulcrum and brooming effect” as will be describedherein

A fulcrum and brooming effect is yielded when card 90 is pivoted about afulcrum 712 defined by slot top edge 712. When card 90 is pivoted aboutfulcrum 712 distal end 90 d of card 90 imparts a force against bottom345 b of slot 3455. Therefore, when card 90 is pulled out card 90 willoperate as a broom to sweep debris, moisture, particulate matter out ofslot 90.

It is seen further with reference to FIG. 7 b that the fulcrum andbrooming effect will be enhanced when slot 345 is positioned at aslightly downward angle with respect to the horizontal plane. Ifterminal 10 is positioned below a user's elbow level, as it often will,user's natural tendency will be to be to pull card up and out asindicated by arrow 711 or possibly, straight out horizontally asindicated by arrow 710. The fulcrum and brooming effect is yielded inboth embodiments when a user pulls card out and up as indicated by arrow711. In addition, it is seen from FIG. 7 b that the fulcrum and broomingeffect can be yielded with slot 345 disposed at a slight downward angleeven when card 90 is pulled straight out in the horizontal directionindicated by arrow 710. Further, disposing slot 345 at an angleincreases the force supplied by card end 90 d on slot bottom 345 b whenthe fulcrum effect is present to enhance the cleaning action of thecard. Still further, the brooming effect cleaning action of card 90 inthe embodiment of FIG. 7 b is multiplied by gravitational pull forcesprovided by the angling of feed slot 345.

In a further aspect of transaction terminal 10, it is noted that in theembodiment described with reference to FIG. 4 a mag stripe reader 241 isdisposed to make contact with a mag stripe of card 90 substantially at atop front edge of slot 345. That is, mag stripe reader 241 is disposedto make contact with a card substantially at a fulcrum 712 of slot 345as described hereinabove. Such positioning of mag stripe reader 241increases a contact force between card 90 and mag stripe reader 241, andtherefore increases the reliability of card reading. Contact betweencard 90 and mag stripe reader 241 is improved if slot 345 is angled downslightly with respect to a horizontal plane as shown and described withreference to FIG. 7 b. Mag stripe reader 241 in the embodiment of FIG. 4b is a manual insert type mag stripe reader.

An important aspect of the invention is the positioning of insert hybridslot reader 240 in terminal 10 in relation to other components ofterminal 10. Insert reader 240 is disposed in the front of terminal 10and is accessible from the front of terminal 10. Accordingly, when acard is inserted reader 240, a user's view of screen 240 is not obscuredas in the case of the prior art transaction terminal 700 of FIG. 13 ahaving rear disposed, top opening-swipe style reader 710 and a display720. Reader 240 is also disposed in lip 11L of terminal head 11 h whichextends forwardly from base 11 bs of terminal 10. Therefore, a space sis defined by reader housing 11 as indicated by FIG. 11 h foraccommodating a person's hand while a card is inserted into reader 240of terminal 10. Still further insert reader 240 is disposed so that aplane P of feed slot P_(f) of insert reader 240 is substantiallyparallel to a plane P_(f) of screen P_(s). Accordingly, indicia ofscreen 20 and indicia of card 90 are easily viewed at the same time fromthe single vantage point of a user. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 iit is seen that a plane P_(f) of feed slot P_(f) is substantiallyparallel to plane P_(b-r) of feet 15-r, and plane P_(s) of screen 20,but that slot 245 is closer to a parallel relationship with touch screenplane P_(s) than it is to base plane P_(b-r) (i.e. slot plane P_(f) isessentially parallel to screen plane P_(s), and slightly angled withrespect to feet, or base plane P_(b-r)) It will be seen that slot planeP_(f) could also be disposed in terminal 10 to be essentially parallelwith base or feet plane P_(b-r) and slightly angled with respect toscreen plane P_(f), or slightly angled with respect to both base planeP_(b-r) and screen plane P_(s). It is preferred in the embodiment shownto dispose slot plane P_(f) essentially parallel with screen plane P_(s)so as to discourage the build up moisture of dust, debris, and otherparticulated matter (angling slot downward encourages a percentage ofparticulate to be forced out of slot 345 by gravity and the fulcrum andgrooming effect described herein) and to reduce the number of positionsat which specular reflections on either card or screen are observed.Whatever the orientation of slot plane P_(f) in relation to screen planeP_(s) and base plane P_(b-r), P_(b) it is important, in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1 a-1 e that screen plane P_(s) be slightly angled withrespect to base plane P_(b-r), and P_(b). Configuring terminal 10 sothat screen plane, P_(s), is angled with respect to base plane P_(b-r),and P_(b) assures that screen 20 is readily viewed when base 11 bs issituated or mounted on a horizontal counter top. Still further,referring to mounting features of insert reader 240 insert reader 240 isdisposed proximate right side 11 s of terminal 10 in lip 11 s so thatreader 240 is readily accessible by a user's right hand, allowing a userto readily center his head toward center of screen 20 while insertingcard 90 into reader 240. The positioning of insert reader 240 as shownin addition renders reader 240 resistant to degradation resulting fromenvironmental effects. It is seen that in prior art terminal 900 havingslide or “swipe” reader 910 opening toward a top of terminal 90, dustand debris, which are prevalent in many retail environments, can readilyenter top-opening slot 910 and become trapped therein to negativelyimpact the functioning of terminal 900 reducing the product life ofterminal 900. The orientation of insert reader 240 substantiallyparallel to the horizontal plane results in a reduction in the volume ofmoisture (as may be caused by cleaning) dust and debris and other aparticulate matter from the retail environment which enter reader 240.As indicated previously, angling slot 245 downward with respect thehorizontal plane further reduces particulate and moisture build-up inslot 245 because such angling further reduces the amount of particulatethat can enter slot 245 and encourages a percentage of particulate andmoisture that does enter slot 245 to be forced out of slot 245 bygravity.

As best seen FIGS. 6 a-6 d, hybrid reader unit 240 may comprise apackaged modular form factor. Reader unit 340 may be packaged in a formthat does not include SAMS IC chips 610, as indicated by FIGS. 6 a and 6b, and may, in the alternative be packaged in a form that does includeSAMS chips 610, as best seen in FIGS. 6 c and 6 d. SAMS (Security AccessModule System) is a system in place in some transaction cycles forsupport mainly of customer loyalty card applications and cash cardapplications. SAMS IC chips 610 are necessary for support of SAMS. Aspart of SAMS, SAMS IC chips 610 must, from time to time be removed fromdevices in which they are installed and replaced. In accordance with theinvention as best seen in FIGS. 1 j and 1 k, transaction terminalhousing 11 may include a SAM access door 612 for allowing access to SAMIC chips 610 without requiring disassembly of housing making body 11MB(which all be discussed would trip a security circuit). Housing 11 asseen in FIGS. 1 j and 1 k may include SAM access door 610 detachablyattachable or pivotally attached to housing bottom 11 b.

Referring to further advantages provided by housing 11, the enlargedhead portion 11 h of housing, which extends forwardly rearwardly,leftwardly and rightwardly with respect to a base portion of housing 11,defines an elongated hand grip. A user may grip outwardly protrudinghead portion 11 h during use of transaction terminal 10. Gripping of thegrip defined by head portion 11 h is especially useful during signaturecapture, or card reading, wherein it is particularly important tomaintain terminal 10 in a stable position. A as shown in FIGS. 1 c and 1d a right hander may grip with his left hand, left side 1102 (or anotherpart) of head portion 11 h during signature capture, while a left handermay grip with his right hand right side 1104 of head portion 11 h duringsignature capture. It is noted further from top view of FIG. 1 c thathead portion 11 h is rounded on all sides thereof. The rounded formmakes terminal 10 more robust on drop testing by spreading out theforces applied to housing 11, and by creating buffers spaced betweencertain critical components of terminal 10 mounted in an interior ofhousing 11.

Referring to further aspects of terminal 10 relating to housing 11,terminal 10 further includes stylus holder apparatus 70 which isdescribed in detail with reference to FIGS. 1-3 and 5 c-5 f. Holderapparatus 70 is a one-piece stylus mounting apparatus, including both awell 72 for holding a stylus 74 and a connection device 73 forconnecting a systems cord. By contrast, in prior art transactionterminal 700 shown in FIG. 7 stylus 730 is held in holder 740 whilestylus cord 750 is connected to prior art terminal on a connection point760 away from holder apparatus 740. Providing a one-piece stylus holderapparatus 70 which both includes a holder which holds pen stylus 74 andwhich includes a proximately disposed connection device 73 for cord 75greatly is particularly advantageous when one-piece holder apparatus 70is adapted to be detachable with respect to housing 11. It is seen, ifholder e.g. 72 and connection device 73 are provided at differentspaced-apart locations on housing 11 as in terminal 900, positioning ofholder 72 at a position away from terminal 10 (such as mounting it on awall, a counter top, a beam, and a cash register) would bedisadvantageous because the cord 75 would assume a stretched-out state.If cord 75 is in a stretched out state, entry of a signature by a useris rendered difficult. Providing a holder apparatus 70 which includesboth cord connection device 73 and a proximally located pen holder 72yield a significant advantage if holder apparatus 70 is madenon-integral and selectively attachable with respect to housing 11.Where holder apparatus 70 is adapted to be non-integral and selectivelyattachable with respect to housing 11 holder apparatus 70 can be movedinto a variety of positions (e.g. mounted to a wall, counter top, cashregister, etc.) in the general area of terminal 10, and in anyone ofthose variety of positions, cord 75, connected to connection device 73remains in an untensioned state when pen stylus 74 is held by holder 72.The detachability of holder apparatus 70 allows apparatus 70 to be movedif there is interference with cord 75 by an object in processing withterminal 10.

In the present invention, holder apparatus 70 may be made selectivelyattachable to housing 11 with use of a double-stick adhesive pad(referred to as double stick tape) of one of the many types availablefrom 3M, for example, or with other types of fasteners. In FIG. 5 e itis seen that holder apparatus 70 includes broad surface 76 for receivingdouble-stick tape (not shown). When double-stick tape is applied toholder apparatus 70, holder apparatus 70 may be tape mounted to any oneof a variety of positions selectable by a user including positions onhousing 11 and away from housing 11 (e.g. wall, cash register, etc).Because cord connector 73 is integral with holder apparatus 70 andproximally located with well 72, cord 75 of stylus 74 will beuntensioned when held by holder 72 wherever holder apparatus 70 ismounted. Holder apparatus 70 could also be selectively mounted with e.g.other adhesives or a mechanical fastener such as a screw, bolt, or keyslot faster such as fastener 17 as shown in FIG. 1 j. Holder apparatus70 including connection device 73 may include another holder member forholding stylus 74 in place of well-style holder. For example, holderapparatus 70 can include a groove or slot (not shown) which holds a penstylus by friction forces. Connection device 73 of holder apparatus 70can take on difference to forms as well. In the embodiment of FIG. 5 fconnection device 73 is provided by a set screw bore which receives aset-screw 78. Ring eyelet 77 of cord 75 is disposed about set screw 78and set screw 78 is threaded into threaded bore 73 to secure eyelet 77against holder apparatus 70. Connection device 73 could also comprise,for just one example, a hole formed on holder apparatus 70 whichaccommodates cord 75, wherein cord 75 is prevented from slipping out ofthe hole by means of a knot formed in the cord having a diameter largerthan the hole diameter.

Referring to further aspects of stylus 74, a connecting arrangement forconnecting stylus-end 79 of cord 75 to cord-end 80 of stylus 74 isdescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 5 a. In one embodiment forconnecting cord 75 to pen stylus 74, distal end 80 of pen stylus 74 ismade to include a stepped bore hole 82 and stylus end 79 of cord 74 ismade to include an enlarged cord end. More specifically, stepped borehole is made to include at least two different diameters, d1 and d2, todefine an enlarged bore section 83 and a narrowed bore section 84. Cord75 is configured complementarily with stepped bore 82 to have a distalend 79 of an enlarged diameter that is greater than the diameter, d₁, ofthe narrowed bore section 84, but less than the diameter, d₂, of theenlarged bore section so that enlarged distal end 79 is retained bynarrowed bore section 84. Cords major body 85 should have a diametersufficiently less than narrowed section 84 of stepped bore 82 so as toallow free rotation of cord 75 within narrowed section 84. Configuringcord 75 to have an enlarged section 79 which is accommodated by anenlarged section 83 of bore hole 82 formed in stylus and retained by anarrowed section 84 of the bore hole 82 that has a diameter sufficientto allow free rotation of the cord major body 85 allows cord 75 torotate freely within pen stylus 74, and thereby prevents against thetwisting of “kinking up” of cord 75. Stepped bore hole 82 may furtherinclude a third bore section 87 formed outwardly with respect tonarrowed bore section 87. Third bore section 87 preferably includes adiameter slightly larger than narrowed bore section 84. It will be seenthat third bore section 87 operates to alleviate substantial tensionforces and stresses which would be supplied by narrowed bore section 84on cord 75 at distal end 82 of narrowed bore section 84 in the absenceof third section 87. Cord 75 can be configured to have an enlarged cordsection 79 by means of e.g. a cap, or a crimped-on metallic member as isshown in FIG. 5 b.

In a still further aspect of housing 11, the colors and/or patternsexhibited by the exterior of housing 11 can adapted to aid a user inorienting card 90 in relation to slot 345. As best seen in the top viewof FIG. 1 c housing top 11 t preferable includes stripe 730 whichdivides housing into a first reader zone 732 and a second nonreader zone734. Stripe 730 encourages a user to move a card toward reader zone 732of terminal 10 when moving card 90 in proximity with terminal 10.Further in accordance with the invention, reader zone 732 in oneembodiment is preferably manufactured to exhibit a different color thannonreader zone 734 so that reader zone 732 further stands out inrelation to nonreader zone 734 to further encourage a user to move acard toward reader zone 732 as opposed to nonreader zone 734 when movinga card toward terminal 10. Zone 732 may made to exhibit a darker colorthan zone 734.

Importantly, housing 11 when manufactured to exhibit multiple colorsshould be made to exhibit different colors without substantiallyweakening the structural support and protection provided by housing 11.Housing 11, which may comprise a polycarbonate ABS blend, can be made toexhibit different colors as between zone 732 and zone 734 withoutsubstantial degradation of containment advantages provided by housing 11by utilization of a two-shot molding process during the manufacture ofhousing upper section 11 up, wherein a first shot of the two-shotmolding process defined the color of zone 732 and a second shot of thetwo part molding process defined the color of zone 734.

In yet another aspect of the invention, housing 11 can be made toexhibit colors or patterns in accordance with the colors and/or patternsfor terminal that are desired by the buyer-retailer of terminal 10. Theinventors discovered that the most desirable colors and patterns forhousing 11 vary greatly between different retailers. Some retailers maydesire bright colors for terminal 10 in an effort to attract attentionto terminal 10. Other retailers may desire subtle colors for terminal 10in an effort to reduce psychological stresses which are sometimesassociated with the expenditure of personal funds. Still other retailersmay desire pattern and colors for terminal 10 that are in accordancewith its company trademarks and or advertising campaigns. Otherretailers may desire that terminal 10 carry advertising of a third partybusiness which will subsidize at least in part the cost of terminal 10.

Accordingly, the inventors have adopted a business method for marketingand supplying terminal 10 that is explained with reference to thebusiness model diagram of FIG. 7 c. At step 1, a supplier 750 (who maybe a manufacturer of terminal 10) informs a retailer and buyer ofterminal 10 that terminal 10 can be made to exhibit customizablepatterns and/or colors. At step 1, supplier may advertise to retailerthat a limited number or unlimited number of design/color options areavailable to retailer. Step 1 may be accomplished through informationpublished on an internet website of a supplier 750. At step 2, retailer752 communicates his pattern and/or color request to supplier 750 suchas though a telephone call or by a request entered in the supplier'swebsite. At step 3, a supplier 750 relays the request of the retailerincluding address information to a graphics forming business entity 754that specializes in forming graphics on Ruggedized material. Thegraphics forming business entity may be owned by supplier 750. Thegraphics forming business entity may be an organization such asImmersion Graphics Corp. who specialize in an immersion graphicformation process. The graphics forming business entity may have a stocksupply of terminal 10 or else terminals 10 may be shipped from supplier750 to entity 754 on an as needed business. At step 4, the graphicsforming business entity 754 forms a graphic on a built terminal 10 inaccordance with the method which it specializes in. At step 5, graphicforming business entity 754 ships the graphic-carrying terminal 10 toretailer 752 in accordance with the information previously received fromsupplier 750 regarding the retailer at step 3. Step 5 may be executed byshipping the finished product back to supplier 750 who then routes theproduct to retailer 752.

Referring to further aspects of the invention, terminal 10 may beequipped with a variety of security features, which may take on avariety of forms. Referring to a first security feature, housing 11 isadapted so that if an unscrupulous party attempts to break into housing11 to steal secure information from a storage device of terminal 10, thesecure electronically stored information is automatically destroyed.Referring again to electrical block diagram 2 a of FIG. 2 a, terminal 10includes a security circuit block 220, an embodiment of which is shownin greater detail in FIG. 2 c. As shown in FIG. 2 c security circuitblock 220 may include in one embodiment, an integrated circuit chip 221having volatile memory. In the embodiment shown, chip 221 has both avolatile RAM 222, a ROM 223, and includes a CPU 224. Secure chip 221preferably includes submicron electrical connections rendering itextremely difficult to read information from chip 221 using electricalprobes.

Transaction terminal 10 is adapted so that certain informationpreviously designated as secure information is stored in a designated ICchip. Such information may include, for example, encryption keys orother information which may be designated as secure such as cardidentification numbers, signature information, fingerprint information,and retinal signature information, decoded-out message data decoded frome.g. an optical or RF card reader. In accordance with applicable bankingstandards (ANSI ISO), PIN information, when entered into a POS devicesuch as transaction terminal 10 should be encrypted at terminal 10, aswill be explained. From time-to-time, encryption keys stored in terminal10 may be updated and replaced with new encryption keys. As will bedescribed in further detail herein, transaction terminal 10 is adaptedso that when a user enters PIN information in response to a prompt forPIN information displayed by terminal 10, an encryption algorithm storedin ROM 223 of secure chip 221 is called for execution by IC chip CPU 224to encrypt the pin information in accordance with an encryption keystored in RAM 222. Encryption keys may be stored in other, mechanicallyand logically secure, preferably erasable, storage locations.

Encryption keys which terminal 10 may use for PIN encryption typicallycomprise one of two types: “master session” and DUKPT. Master sessionkeys are used by a symmetrical encryption algorithm. The Data EncryptionStandard (DES) is the most common form of master session keys. Under amaster-session scheme, terminal 10 has a strong “master” key and asecond “session” key. Typical implementations use a weaker session key.The session key is used to encrypt PIN blocks. The master key is used tosecure replacement session keys. Terminal and the first computer (host)of POS Network 300 that receives and processes the encrypted PIN blockmust have the same key. POS Network 300, comprised of many “nodes” orcomputer systems connected by various communications links, translatesthe PIN from the key used by the sending device (terminal, host, etc.)to the encryption key and scheme used by the next node in thetransmission chain. This repeats until the encrypted PIN block arrivesat Issuing Bank 333. Accordingly, “security zones” are created whichincrease the difficulty of an unscrupulous party compromising thesystem. It also allows each zone to trust only the devices with which itdirectly communicates. It also greatly simplifies distribution of thesymmetric keys. A given node must only deal with two other nodes ratherthan every node in the chain. Debit card Issuing Bank 333 does notconvert the PIN block to clear data. Issuing Bank 330 submits theencrypted PIN block to a security device commonly called a NetworkSecurity Processor (NSP). The NSP verifies the PIN validity and returnsa “yes” or “no” response. That response is utilized by issuing bank 330for verifying the validity of the PIN entered on transaction terminal10.

Derived Unique Key Per Transaction (DUKPT) keys and encryption scheme iscommon in POS terminals and PIN pads installed since 1997. The advantageof DUKPT and other similar schemes is that each PIN block encryptionuses a new (“unique”) key whereas the master session encryption uses thesame key for all transactions. In DUKPT PIN systems, over 1 million keyscan be generated from an initial base key. The “T” in DUKPT can alsomean “terminal” since the terminal ID is used to generate the key set, agiven base key can create many unique key sets. DUKPT PIN encryptionkeys are unique and no key can be computed from any other key. So if agiven transaction key is compromised, no other transactions are at risk.The base key is not stored in the terminal. The current method of PINencryption using DUKPT is similar to the master session encryptionmethod described above. Additional data is used and the key is appliedto the PIN block only for the current transaction. The node securityzones are substantially identical to those described above withreference to the master session described above. In many systems, theterminal's DUKPT PIN block is translated to a master session PIN blockat the first intercept computer system which may be e.g. a POS Networkcomputer system of a retailer, or a computer system third party networkprovider. The conversion allows the simpler master session to be usedfor relatively secure host/server point to point communications. Thecomputer centers are physically more secure than distributed transactionterminals. Issuing Bank 330 then processes the authentication accordingto the master session method described above.

With master session keys, all PIN blocks encrypted with a given key canbe decrypted if the key is compromised. Since the master session key isstored in a relatively less secure terminal and distributed in publiclyaccessible locations, the risk of attack is greater. To reduce the risk,most implementations allow for a periodic key exchange where a hostsystem generates a random key value, encrypts it under a strong exchangekey and sends it through POS Network 300 to the terminal 10. All nodesbetween the originator and the terminal must be able to handle the keyexchange. When the new session key arrives at terminal 10, terminaldecrypts the new session key from the master key (which also resides inthe terminal) uses the key for subsequent PIN block encryptions. DUKPTkeys normally do not have to be replaced unless the entire key set isexhausted or the well protected base key is compromised. Further, a dataintegrating encryption algorithm (e.g. MAC) may be utilized by terminal10.

With further reference to a tamper-detection security feature of theinvention, the selection of an IC chip including integrated RAM, ROM anda CPU, wherein encryption keys are stored in volatile RAM 222, anencryption algorithm is stored in ROM 223, and the algorithm is executedby integrated CPU 224, yields an important benefit. If the CPU thatexecuted the encryption algorithm were stored on an IC chip separatefrom the chip including volatile RAM 222, then an unscrupulous party mayattempt to intercept the unencrypted PIN data, with use of probes, whileit is being retrieved by the CPU from its storage location in RAM. Thearrangement above protects against the above potential security breach.An unscrupulous party could not readily, if at all, contact probes ontocircuit tracings of packaged secure IC chip 221 comprising RAM 222 andROM 223.

As indicated in FIG. 2 c, IC chip 221 having volatile RAM 222 and ROM223 is powered by a battery 225 so that information stored in chip 221is destroyed by disconnecting battery 225 from chip 221. Battery 225 maybe a 1400-1800 ma hour battery. Chip 221 may be provided, for example,by a Hitachi H8S/2318 F-2TAT HD64FZ318 IC chip.

Description of a terminal break-in theft prevention scheme is made infurther detail with reference to the block diagrams FIGS. 2 c and 2 d,FIGS. 4 b-4 c (showing partial internal perspective views terminal 10,and particularly the interface between housing 11 and main circuit board290 of terminal 10) and FIG. 4 a showing an assembly diagram forterminal 10. Main circuit board 290 carries the majority of electricalcircuit components of terminal 10. Main circuit board 290 carries all oressentially all of the electrical components described with reference toFIGS. 2 a-2 c herein including control circuit 210 and secure chip IC221.

Referring to the assembly diagram FIG. 4 a transaction terminal housingmain body 11 mb includes an upper mold 11 up which is interfaced tolower mold 11 lw during the assembly of terminal 10. As best seen inFIG. 4 b upper mold 11 up includes four PCB contacting struts 410 eachcomprising a bolt-retaining hole 412 for accommodating a bolt 416 orscrew. Struts 410 are configured to be of such a length so that struts410 impart a compression securing force to PCB 290 when upper mold 11 upand lower mold 11 lw of transition terminal 10 are connected together.With further reference to FIG. 4 a, PCB 290 includes four open contactwashers 292 integrated into circuit board 290. As best seen in theexploded view of FIG. 4 a open contact washers 292 each comprise aninsulation space 292 so that an electrical connection between firstconductive section 292 c 1 of open contact washer 292 and secondconductive contact 292 c 2 of washer 292 can be made by applying aconductive bridge between the conductive contacts. PCB 290 and uppermold 11 up are complementary configured so that each of the open contactwashers 292 opposes one of the struts 410. When upper mold 11 up isapplied to lower mold 11 lw (on which PCB 290 is previously mounted)struts 410 impart pressure on PCB 290 at each of the open contactwashers 292. In accordance with the invention, contact security washers295 are interposed between struts 410 an open contact washers 292 ateach of the four contact points at the time that upper mold 11 up isapplied to lower mold 11 lw. Contact security washers 292 serve asconductive bridges between the conductive sections of each of the opencontact washers 292. Accordingly, it can be seen that if any attempt ismade to remove any part of upper mold 11 up from lower mold 11 lwelectrical contact between conductive sections 292 c 1 and 292 c 2 of atleast one of the open contact washers 292 will almost certainly bedestroyed. To increase the likelihood that electrical contact betweenconductive sections of at least one of the open-contact washers 292 willbe destroyed by a tampering attempt, contact washers 295 can be fixedlysecured to the distal ends 410 e of struts 410, e.g. by an adhesivebonding material. Securing washers 292 to struts 410 assures thatcontact between conductive sections of washers 292 will be destroyed ifupper section 11 up is lifted from lower section 111 w. The four opencontact washers are disposed at spaced apart positions about circuitboard 290. Such positioning increases the likelihood that electricalcontact between conductive sections of at least one of the open contactwashers will be destroyed by an attempt to remove only a part of uppermold 11 up from terminal 10. Terminal 10 is preferably adapted to thateach of the bolts 416 engages a threaded bore hole when driven intoterminal 410. Threaded bore holes engaging bolts 416 may be formed oneither of both of circuit board 210 and lower mold 11 lw.

As is indicated by the electrical schematic diagram of FIG. 2 c opencontact washers 292 may be serially connected in a circuit powered bysecurity circuit battery 225 (e.g. by circuit traces etched on PCB 290)and contact sensing circuit 226 may be disposed in communication withopen contact washers 292 to sense whether electrical contact betweenconductive sections 292 c 1 and 292 c 2 of one of the washers isdestroyed. If contact between conductive sections of any one of the opencontact washers 292 is destroyed, sensing circuit 226 generates a tampersignal. Terminal 10 may be configured so that if terminal in apowered-down mode a tamper signal generated by sensing circuit 226operates to disconnect secure IC chip 221 from battery 225 as isindicated by switch 227. Terminal 10 may also be configured so thatgeneration of a tamper signal when terminal is in a powered-up mode(wherein secure IC chip 221 is powered by an external power source)results in an erasure instruction being generated that causes the secure(e.g. encryption information) of chip 221 to be erased. The tampersignal causing the erasure instruction to be generated may becommunicated from sensing circuit 226 to e.g. control circuit 210 or tosecure chip IC 221 as indicated by dashed-in contact 228.

Security circuit block 220 may also be configured so that IC chip 221 iserased by disconnecting power therefrom when there is a security breachwhether terminal 10 is in a powered-down mode or powered-up mode. In theembodiment if FIG. 2 d, DC supply, described with reference to FIG. 2 band security battery 225 are both tied to switch 229, (which maycomprise a simple diode circuit) that is responsive to losses in DCsupply power 238 so that security battery 225 power chip 221 only whenthere is a loss of supply power. It is seen that in the circuit of FIG.2 d, that the power supply to IC chip 15 is disconnected to eraseinformation in RAM 222 when there is a security breach resulting in oneor more contacts 292 opening whether terminal is powered up-orpowered-down mode. Circuit 220 in FIG. 2 d includes an isolation circuit293. Isolation circuit 293, which may be for example, a TISN74CBTLV3126FET bus switch, isolates circuit 210 from circuit 221. Isolation circuit293 prevents power from chip 221 from powering circuit 210 when there isa loss of power in circuit 210 and prevents circuit 210 from poweringcircuit 221 when there is a loss of power in circuit 221. Isolator 293may have a data pass mode (allowing data flow) and a data isolation mode(isolating the circuit). The data pass and isolation modes of circuit293 may be made responsive to the voltages produced by meter 294 whichsenses the voltage input to chip 221 and meter 296 which senses voltageinput to control circuit 210.

Referring to further aspects of the invention and relating to thesecurity feature just described, transaction terminal 10 in the assemblyview shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b may include lower and upper cover panels21 and 22 some features of which are described in U.S. application Ser.No. 09/750,479 filed Dec. 28, 2000 assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention and incorporated by reference herein. Lower coverpanel 21 including open window 21 w surrounds overlay 230 and coverselectrical lead lines carrying data from overlay 230. Lower cover panel21 is bonded to upper section 11 up to create a moisture and dirt-tightseal there between, as well as physically protecting the lead lines.Second upper cover panel 22 is placed over lower panel 21. Lower panel21 can be considered a port of housing main body 11 mb when installedtherein. Upper panel 22 includes a frame 22 f and a light transmissiveprotective window 22 w mounted in frame 22 f. When upper panel 22 isdisposed on lower panel 21 protective window 22 is in close proximitywith overlay 230 so that a signature written on window 22 w will berecorded by overlay 230. The lower surface of upper panel 22 contains anadhesive whereby the upper cover panel can be easily removed when window22 w becomes worn or damaged. A warning message 21 m is printed on lowerpanel 21 which is clearly discernable when the upper cover panel isremoved, warning the user not to write upon touch screen 20 until theupper panel is replaced.

An alternative embodiment of a panel assembly for terminal 10 isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 4 e-4 k. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 eframe 22 f of upper cover panel 22 includes raised interior walls 2202of substantial height so that a top surface 2204 of frame 22 f issubstantially higher than a top surface of protective window 22 w (orother light transmissive surface on which stylus is in direct contactwith during use). The surface (such as window 22 w or another lighttransmissive surface overlaying touch screen overlay 230 or touch screenoverlay surface itself) which is contacted for inputting data into touchscreen 20 is herein referred to as the “receipt surface” of touch screen20 and can be considered part of touch screen-20 when installed. Raisedinterior walls 2202 of frame 22 f should be sized to a height or frame22 f should be otherwise configured so that top surface 2204 of frame 22f is at least 0.100 inches above a receipt surface of touch screen 20 atleast along one edge peripheral to touch screen 20. In a preferredembodiment, raised interior walls 2202 are sized so that surface 2204 offrame is about 0.24 inches above a receipt surface of touch screen 20,at least along one edge defining an interior of the frame 22 f.Referring to the cross sectional view A-A of FIG. 4 f, surfaces 2204-1and 2204-2 can be slightly crowned, to enhance comfort, and can have acorner heights at corners 2290 of about 0.18 inches. When installed,frame 22 f defines part of “housing” 11. Field data summarizing theresults of incorporating frames having raised surfaces of varyingheights is summarized hereinbelow.

Configuring frame 22 f so that top surface 2204 is higher than a receiptsurface of touch screen 20 at least along one edge defining an interiorof the frame 22 f reduces a likelihood of a person's hand coming incontact with the receipt surface of touch screen 20 when writing asignature onto touch screen using a stylus 74. As is discussed elsewhereherein, contact of a hand with touch screen 20 (particularly a “coursepitch” touch screen) outside of area 2008 during signature capture canresult in unwanted data points being rejected by touch screen 20.Referring now to FIG. 4 g it is typical to display on touch screen 20 asignature capture area 2008 toward a front portion of touch screen 20,and to display rearward of signature capture area 2008 a displayed textmessage such as “PLEASE SIGN HERE” 2210. In one typical specificembodiment, touch screen 20 includes a height (front to back) of about3.5 inches and a width of about 4.6 inches, a spacing from a front oftouch screen 20 to signature capture area 2008 of about 0.5 inches and aspacing from a rear edge of touch screen 20 to area 2008 of about 2.3inches.

For right-handed users using such a system, there is relatively less(but often significant) likelihood of users's hand contacting touchscreen 20 with sufficient force to cause unwanted data entry during thesignature capture process. The major portion of a right hander's hand isnormally generally located closer to the right hander's body during thewriting process. Thus, referring to FIG. 4 g, if a right hander's handcontacts transaction terminal 10 during the writing process it is likelyto contact top surface 2204 of frame 22 f (typically, at surface region2204-1) not a receipt surface of touch screen 20 particularly if area2008 is closely spaced apart from frame 22 f.

In contrast with right handers, the major portion of the hand of a lefthander is often located farther away from the left hander's body than awriting implement during the writing process. A common left handerwriting style known as “overwriting” is depicted in FIG. 4 h. The majorportion of a left handed overwriter's hand during the writing process islocated father away from the left hander's body than is writingimplement 74. Further, the left hander commonly contacts a surface beingwritten on with a finger or other portion of his hand rearward of thearea where a signature is written. Accordingly, it will be seen that ifsignature area is defined toward a front of touch screen 20, as depictedin FIG. 4 g, there is a strong possibility, if the features nowdescribed are not implemented, that the left hander's hand will contacta receipt surface of touch screen 20 rearward of signature area 2008.

The inventors discovered that configuring frame 22 f to include a raisedsurface 2204, that is raised relative to touch screen 20 at least alongone edge of touch screen 20 substantially reduces the problem oferroneous data entry into touch screen 20 by a left hander. With reartop surface of frame 22 f along surface region 2204-2 of frame raisedand a signature area 2208 spaced apart from surface region 2204-2, theleft hander, it was found, tends to rest a major portion of her hand onrear surface region 2204-2 rather than on the receipt surface of touchscreen 20 during the writing process. Raised surface 2204 substantiallyreduces erroneous data entry via hand contact during writing by righthanders as well. With raised surface frame 22 f, a signature area 2008can be displayed toward a center of touch screen 20 or otherwise bespaced apart from frame 22 f and front raised surface region 2204-1 willdiscourage a right hander from contacting her hand on touch screen 20during the writing process. Also, rear raised surface 2204-2 willsubstantially prevent a right-handed overwriter's hand from contactingtouch screen 20 in the case signature capture area 2008 is displayedtoward a front of touch screen 20 as is shown in FIG. 4 g.

Field data corresponding to one specific example of the invention ispresent in Table 1. In Table 1 field data is summarized for transactionterminals having slightly crowned surfaces 2204-1 and 2204-2 (crowned ata slight crown angle similar to the example of FIG. 4 f) of varyingcenter-heights. In all of the examples of Table 1, a front boundary ofsignature area 2008 is spaced about 0.5 inches from frame 22 f, a rearboundary of signature area 2008 is spaced about 2.3 inches from frame 22f, and touch screen 20 has a height (front to rear) of about 3.5 inches.

TABLE 1 Center Height No. of of No. of No. of No. of Right surface No.of Left Left Hand Right Hand 2204-1, People Hand Failed Hand Failed2204-2 Surveyed People Signatures People Signature 0 18 8 8 10 8 0.12518 8 8 10 5 0.187 18 8 4 10 1 0.25 18 8 0 10 0

It is seen from Table 1 that configuring frame 22 f so that a centerheight of surface 2204-1 is slightly higher (0.125 in.) than receiptsurface of touch screen 20 significantly reduces right hander failuresin the specific example provided. Configuring frame 22 f so that acenter height of surface 2204-2 is more than about 0.150 inches (0.187in.) higher than a receipt surface of screen 20 significantly reducesleft hander failures in the specific example provided.

Additional features of an exemplary panel assembly are now described.Upper panel 22 shown in FIG. 4 e having raised surface frame 22 f andwindow 22 w, can be made so that window 22 w is detachably detachablewith frame 22 f. Window 22 w is of relatively low cost relative to frame22 f. It is advantageous therefore with use of transaction terminal 10to periodically remove window 22 w from frame 22 f and replace it sothat touch screen 20 remains clearly visible without its properoperation being diminished by a worn window 22 w.

In order to make window 22 w readily detachably detachable with frame 22f upper panel 22 (including frame 22 f and window 22 w) should be madedetachably attachable with lower panel 21 (see FIG. 4 a) which issecurely attached to housing 11.

According to the invention and referring now to the assembly views ofFIGS. 4 e and 4 i, adhesive material 2214 can be applied to both top andbottom surfaces of window 22 w about an outer periphery thereof. In oneembodiment, the adhesive interface between frame 22 f and window 22 w,is configured to have an adhesive strength greater than the adhesiveinterface between window 22 w and lower panel 21. The adhesive strengthof an adhesive interface can be controlled by controlling, alone or incombination any one of (a) characteristics of surfaces defining theinterface (b) type or adhesive material, (c) amount of adhesivematerial. Adhesive material 2212 and 2214 can be provided, for example,by #367 adhesive, available from 3M Corporation.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 e and 4 i, window 22 w is attached to frame22 f before the upper panel 22 comprising the combination of frame 22 fand window 22 w is applied over lower panel 21. The adhesive material2214 of the bottom surface of window 22 w need only apply a stabilizingforce sufficient to work against sliding or “floating” of upper panel 22on lower panel 21. To prevent a build up of adhesive material on lowerpanel 21, a top surface 2220 of lower panel 21 can be made of a highgloss, substantially nonporous material such as polyester.

In an alternative embodiment, the adhesive interface between window 22 wand panel 21 is configured to have a greater adhesive strength than theinterface between frame 22 f and window 22 w. In such an embodiment,window 22 w is adhered to lower panel 21 when frame 22 f is removed fromlower panel 21. It will be appreciated that, in accordance with theinvention, the adhesive interface between window 22 w and lower panel 21can be replaced or supplemented with an adhesive or other attachmentinterface between frame 22 f and lower panel 21.

Raised surface frame 22 f as shown in FIGS. 4 e-4 f and FIGS. 4 i-4 k,may include ribs 2234 which are defined on frame 22 f during a moldingprocess. The presence of ribs 2234 may render frame 22 f less thanoptimally suited for receiving adhesive material 2214 of window 22 w.Accordingly, as shown in the assembly views of FIGS. 4 j and 4 k, thepanel assembly of the invention can include underlay 2230 which isinterposed between window 22 w and frame 22 f. Instead of the windowbeing attached directly to the major body of frame 22 f, underlay 2230can be firmly attached to frame 22 f, to define enlarged flattened areasfor receiving window 22 w, and window 22 w can be received on underlay2230. If underlay 2230 is attached to frame 22 f via an adhesive, theadhesive strength, (as controlled by e.g. adhesive material selectionamount and/or surface conditions) of the adhesive interface betweenframe 22 f and window 22 w should be greater than the adhesive strengthof the adhesive interface between underlay and window 22 w. Underlay2230 increases the vertical spacing distance between frame 22 f and thereceipt surface of touch screen 20. Underlay 2230, which may compriseresilient padding material for increased comfort during the writingprocess, may have a thickness of about 0.003 inches and adhesiveattaching underlay 2230 to frame 22 f can have a thickness of about0.002 inches to bring a total vertical spacing distance betweenhorizontal center lines of surface 2204 about a periphery of touchscreen 20 and receipt surface of touch screen 20 (in the specificexample of FIG. 4 h) to about 0.248 inches. Underlay 2230 can beconsidered part of frame 22 f when attached thereto.

In yet another embodiment, the holding function provided by adhesivematerial 2214 or material 2214 is supplemented or replaced by amechanical securing element(s) such as fasteners, clips,microhook-and-loop type fasteners, and or friction engagement betweenmechanical members. For example, window 22 w can be attached to frame 22f via spring-loaded chiming mechanisms (a represented by dashed-inelement 2235, FIG. 4 i) and frame 22 f can be stabilized on top of lowerpanel 21 by sizing frame 22 f to be friction fit onto a similarly sizedrecess formed in housing 11 provided frame 22 f is also configured sothat it can readily be removed from the recess for replacement of window22 w. Elements 2236 shown in FIGS. 4 j and 4 k represent microhook andloop fastener strips for securing panel 22 to panel, which may replaceor supplement the holding force supplied by adhesive 2214.

In a further aspect of a panel system according to the invention, uppersection 11 up and panels 21 and 22 are complementarily formed so thatbore holes 419 h and the bolts or screws 416 which they accommodate arecompletely hidden from view when panels 21 and 22 are attached tohousing 11. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 a, it is seen that bolts orscrews 416 which operate to secure upper section 11 up to lower section11 lw are accommodated by bolt holes and are formed in housing 11 insuch a position that both fasteners 416 and holes 410 can be hidden fromview by application of panel 21. Further, lower panel 21 is made opaqueso that these bolt holes 410 h and fasteners 416 are substantiallycompletely hidden from view when lower cover panel 21 is applied tohousing 11. Because, holes 410 and fasteners 416 for holding the partsof housing together are hidden from view in the terminal of FIG. 1 a, aperson cannot determine the assembly features of terminal by inspection.The unscrupulous party considering opening terminal 10 may determinefrom inspection that terminal 10 is held together by forces suppliedother than detachable fastening devices such as bolts or screws and maytherefore give up the idea of breaking into terminal 10.

As has been described herein, PIN information should be encryptedwhenever it is entered into terminal 10. If PIN information is notencrypted by terminal 10, an unscrupulous party may attempt toelectronically syphon the PIN information from a storage device ofterminal or in a computer system located upstream from terminal in thetransaction cycle depicted in FIG. 3 a. Other sensitive information maybe designated as secure information which is to be encrypted. Forexample, credit card number information, debit card number information,personal identification information, signature information, fingerprintinformation, retinal signature information or other information whichmay be designated as secure, and received by any one of user interfacedevices RFID 261, optical reader imaged assembly 263, fingerprintscanner 265, retinal scanner 267, unit 240, etc. may be encrypted byterminal 10. In some countries, credit card numbers are required to beencrypted.

Terminal 10 is preferably adapted so that an operating program ofterminal 10 can be customized by an user-programmer, so that thecharacteristic of, and sequence of, e.g. prompts, other messages, menusdisplayed by touch screen 20 are configurable by a user-programmer. Inaccordance with the invention, a programmer-user may developinstructions of an operating program using a program builder system 390as seen in FIG. 3 h (typically provided by a PC as shown) and thentransmits the set of instructions built using the builder system 390 toterminal 10 over breakable link 392. However, providing aprogrammer-user with the capacity to freely define features of aterminal's main operating program raises the possibility that anunscrupulous user-programmer may develop prompts which encourage acustomer-user to enter PIN information or other designated secureinformation without an encryption sequence of instructions properlybeing executed. The unscrupulous user-programmer may then electronicallysyphon the unencrypted PIN information or other secure information.

Accordingly, terminal 10 may be adapted to include a secure informationentry feature which is described with reference to FIGS. 2 d, 2 e and 2f. In accordance with a secure information entry feature of theinvention, terminal 10 may include a secure information entry circuit280 included in the embodiment shown as central processing unit 281, aprogram ROM 283, working RAM 282 and cryptographic firmware 285 whichresults in an encryption mode signal carried by line 286 being caused tochange state whenever an encryption routine (executed in accordance withprogram instructions which may be stored in ROM 283) is called, whichencryption mode signal can only be generated by calling the encryptionroutine. Further, in accordance with the secure information entrysecurity feature, an indicator 287 is made responsive to the selectivestate changing encryption mode signal so that the indicator 287 isactive only when the encryption routine is called. Preferably, firmware285 is established so that indicator 287 is made responsive only to theencryption mode signal caused to change state by the secure informationentry circuit so that an unscrupulous party cannot cause indicator 287to be actuated in a mode other than an encryption mode. Still further,in accordance with the secure information entry security feature, in oneembodiment an information message 288 is displayed on or about terminal10 or visible by a user of terminal 10 which informs a customer-user 310that the customer-user 10 should enter secure e.g PIN information onlyif indicator 287 is active. Information message 288 is preferablysubstantially permanently affixed to terminal 10 so that an unscrupulousparty cannot easily remove or destroy message 288. Information message288 may be printed or formed as part of the graphics of upper coverpanel frame 22 f for example, or on a part of lower panel 21 visiblewith upper panel 22 attached. Information message 288 may also be formedon a normally visible part of housing such as with etching, stamping,immersion graphics, a sticker, etc., preferably in proximity withindicator 287.

Referring to aspects of the secure information entry feature of theinvention in further detail, cryptographic firmware 281 of secureinformation entry circuit 280 can take on a variety of forms. Ingeneral, the term “firmware” as used herein shall refer to any hardwareor software or combination hardware/software element of a processorbased controller which cannot be changed by the ordinary methods andprotocols available for use by a user-programmer for changinginstruction of a main program of the processor based controller.

As will be discussed in greater detail herein, circuit 280 may comprisecomponents of control circuit 210. Accordingly, it will be seen that thecharacteristic of cryptographic firmware 285 of secure information entrycircuit 280 may vary depending on the software architecture selected forallowing reprogramming of terminal control circuit 210 (changing ofinstructions of the main program). Alternative software architecturewhich may be employed for enabling changing of instructions of a mainprogram associated with control circuit 210 with use of a programbuilder system 390 are described with reference to the memory mapdiagrams of FIGS. 2 e and 2 f. In one software architecture for allowingreprogramming of terminal 10, program builder 390 builds and controlcircuit 210 executes a compiled program. It is preferable that programbuilder system 390 allows programing of terminal using high levelprogramming instructions or with use of graphical user interface promptswherein program instructions are built by system 390 in response toprogrammer-user inputs that are input into system 390 using a GUI inresponse to GUI displayed prompts displayed on display 390 d.Accordingly, program builder system 390, may build an operating programfor terminal 10 in a high level language such as C or C++ which has tobe compiled into machine code for execution. A main operating programwritten in a high level programming language and built in system 390 canbe compiled into machine code in system 390 or in control circuit 210,if control circuit 210 is equipped with an operating system. In the casethat control circuit 210 executes a compiled program or an assembledprogram (e.g. written in assembly code at system 390 and than assembled)cryptographic firmware 285 circuit 280 and circuit 210 may take the formas shown in the ROM program memory map as shown in FIG. 2 e. Asindicated by FIG. 2 e several address locations 270 of program ROM 283may be allocated for storing compiled operating program whereas otheraddress locations 271 may be allocated for storing firmware instructionswhich are not affected by the compiling and loading of a new operatingprogram on ROM 283. In the example of FIG. 2 e firmware 281 refers tocode instructions stored on firmware allocated address locations 290 ofROM 283. Cryptographic firmware 285 in the example of FIG. 2 e may bee.g. a set of instructions which operate to poll the contents ofinstructions called for execution by compiled program stored inaddresses 270. When a called instruction is an instruction to call anencryption routine, cryptographic firmware 285 results in an encryptionmode signal changing state.

In another architecture which may be employed from allowingreprogramming of terminal 10, circuit 210, 280 executes a script program(which is sometimes referred to simply as a script) that is built by aprogrammer-user at builder system 390 using high level instructions ore.g. by inputting inputs in response GUI displayed programming promptsdisplayed on display 390 d. When circuit 210, 280 is of the type thatexecutes a script program, ROM 283, 218 stores an interpreter programstored in address locations 270. When a script program architecture isselected, script instructions built at builder system 390 do not have tobe complied into machine code prior to being executed. Instead, when ascript program architecture is selected, interpreter program stored at270 interprets and executes script instructions built at system 390 andthereby eliminates the need to compile a set of high lever instructionsauthored at system 390 into machine code prior to their execution byterminal 10. In the example of FIG. 2 f “firmware” can be considered toinclude code instructions of the interpreter program stored at addresslocations 270 since these instructions cannot be affected by changes inthe script code built at builders system 390. In addition, when ROM 283,218 includes an interpreter program, ROM 283, 218 can include additionalfirmware at locations 271 of the type described with reference to FIG. 2e (i.e. memory stored instructions impervious to changes in aninterpreter program). While firmware is shown in the memory maps ofFIGS. 2 e and 2 f to be included in program ROM 283, 218, it will beunderstood firmware can also be included in working RAM 282 or in aninternal register of CPU 281.

It will be understood that the above archetypal examples are selectedmerely to highlight that cryptographic firmware 285 can take on avariety of different forms and are not intended to rigorously define theprecise characteristic of subject matter that can be consideredfirmware. In fact many software architectures exhibit characteristics ofboth of the archetypal architectures described. Still further it will beunderstood that firmware e.g. 285, while most typically comprising someform of user inaccessible or difficult to access code instructions, neednot comprise any code instructions. For example, cryptographic firmware285 according to the invention can include discreet IC formed electricalcircuit components tied to an appropriate address bus location e.g. akey storing address 291 of RAM 282 or ROM 283 called during execution ofan encryption routine of the invention which circuit components areoperative to change the state of an encryption mode signal when such anaddress is selected.

As has been indicated herein and again by FIG. 2 d encryption keysutilized by an encryption routine are preferably stored in batterypowered volatile RAM 282 which can be erased either by an instruction orby disconnecting a battery B supplying power thereto. Accordingly, asalluded to previously in one specific example of secure informationentering circuit 280, circuit 280 may include elements of both controlcircuit 210 and security block 220, as is indicated by reference numeral280 of FIGS. 2 c and 2 d.

Additional features of the invention will be understood with referenceto one specific example of the invention. A flow diagram explainingoperations of secure information entry circuit 280 as may occur whenexecuting an encryption routine utilizing the two CPU architecture ofFIGS. 2 c and 2 d is described in detail with reference to the flowdiagram of FIG. 2 h. At block 295 a CPU. 212 executing instructionsstored in ROM 218 of circuit 210 determines if an encryption routine hasbeen called, e.g. by selection of a menu option of a user or an insertand reading of a card by a user. If an encryption routine is called,cryptographic firmware 285 at block 295 b changes the state of anencryption mode signal carried by line 286 from a first state to asecond state to turn indicator ON. At block 295 c CPU 212 causes virtualkeypad to be displayed on-touch screen 20. At block 295 d CPU 212captures the entered keystrokes and at block 295 e CPU 212 sends the PINinformation to circuit 221, and calls for the encryption algorithmstored in ROM 223 of chip 221 to be executed. At block 295 f, CPU 224 ofchip 221 executes this encryption algorithm using encryption keys storedin RAM 222, and at block 295 g CPU 224 sends encrypted PIN informationto RAM 217 of circuit 210. As indicated by block 295 h, CPU 212 has beenpolling line 297 for received data. When data is received by circuit 210CPU 212 changes the state of the encryption mode signal to its originalstate. It is seen that the above example is applicable to any otherapplication as described herein, wherein encryption may be useful. Foradapting the method of FIG. 2 h for another application involvingencryption of the PIN pad user prompt setup (block 295 c) may besubstituted for by another prompt message (a text message “Insert Card,”“Place Finger on Recess,” etc.).

Referring to further aspects of indicator 287 a secure information entryfeature of the invention, indicator 287 may take on several forms. Inthe example of FIGS. 1 a, 1 f, and 4 a indicator 287 is provided by anLED 287L mounted on main circuit board 290 in combination with a lightpipe 287 p having a distal end 287 pd visible at top 11 a of terminal 10proximate touch screen 20. In one example, the changing of theencryption mode signal from a first state to a second state changes alight source indicator from an OFF state to an ON state. However,terminal 10 could be configured so that the changing of the state of theencryption mode signal from a first state to a second state could alsochange the state of light source indicator from an ON state to an OFFstate. When indicator 287 is a light source, the light source may be alight source other than an LED, such as a filament used light source.Indicator 287 can be provided by a changing of the control of abacklight 236 of display 234. Further, a change in the state of theencryption mode signal need not change the state of a light sourceindicator from an OFF state to an ON state. Terminal 10 could be adaptedso that a change in the state of the secure mode signal increases theintensity of light from a first ON state to a higher intensity secondstate. In addition, more than one light source can be used. Stillfurther, indicator 287 if a light source need not be located at terminal10. A light source indicator could comprise overhead or other visiblelights proximate terminal 10 for example.

Importantly, indicator 287 need not comprise a light source. Indicator287 could comprise an acoustic output device in terminal 10 or away fromterminal 10. Indicator 287 could also be a graphical icon or messagedisplayed on screen 20 or on a display e.g. display 340 spaced apartfrom terminal 10. The state changing encryption mode signal (which maybe encrypted by terminal 10) can be transmitted to any computer systemof POS network 300, shown in FIG. 3 a, and any computer system of POSnetwork may control indicator 287. Further, hub 360 may include aprogram which monitors encryption mode signal data from each of severalterminals 10, to maintain a record on PIN captures, and report anyanomalous events (e.g., encryption mode signal state changes notcorresponding to PINs captures).

It will be understood that secure information entry circuit 280 and/orindicator 287 can be incorporated in many different apparatusesresponsive to an integrated or nonintegrated user interface other thanin terminal 10. In FIG. 7 d indicator 287 is shown as being incorporatedin a gas dispenser 770 having a card reader 910 and a touch screen 20.In FIG. 7 f indicator 287 is shown as being incorporated in a cardreading Kiosk 774 which may an Automatic Teller Machine or other selfservice transaction apparatus. In FIG. 7 e indicator 287 is shown asbeing incorporated in an automatic parking meter 772 having a cardreader 910. In FIG. 7 g indicator 287 is shown as being incorporated ina personal computer 776. Indicator 287 in the embodiment of FIG. 7 g isembodied by a computer generated icon 287 i which could also be a textmessage, a plurality of light sources 287L, and an acoustic outputdevice 287 a, which may output a voice recording. Personal computer 776in the embodiment of FIG. 7 g is shown as being linked to an on-linebanking website operated in the interest of a bank such as bank 330 orbank 332. It would be useful to incorporate indicator 287 in or aboutany apparatus which may be adapted to receive secure information,particularly where the apparatus is of the type which may beunscrupulously custom programmed to display prompts encouraging users toenter secure information without an encryption routine properly beingactuated, e.g. a PDA, PDT, optical reader, a stand-alone card readerattachable via a connector such as a PCMCIA connector to anotherapparatus, etc. Apparatuses as showing FIGS. 7 d-7 f are increasinglybeing made in forms allowing custom programming.

Secure information entry circuit 280 can be incorporated in full in anyof the apparatuses described with reference to FIGS. 7 d-7 g. Secureinformation entry circuit 280 can also be disposed in an apparatus notintegrated with the apparatus incorporating or having an associatedindicator 287, or else can be spread out over several apparatuses. FIG.7H illustrates an example of the invention in which secure informationentry circuit 280 is not incorporated in the same apparatusincorporating indicator 287. In the example of FIG. 7H, secureinformation entry circuit 280 including cryptographic firmware 285 isdisposed in host 780 linked to internet or other network 380. Host 780can be considered part of internet or other network 380 when linkedthereto. Host 780 may store for example an internet banking website asindicated in FIG. 7 g which prompts for PINs from on-line bankingcustomers, or a program that monitors data inputs into severalapparatuses. Host 780 may be linked to user interface device 775directly as indicated by link 781, via a standard internet/network linkas indicated by links 782 via a POS network as indicated by links 783,or another link. In addition to or instead of being incorporated in host780, secure information entry circuit 280 including cryptographicfirmware 285 may be incorporated in internet or other network 380, inPOS network 300 or in user interface device 775 as indicated by dashedin elements 280 of FIG. 7 h. It will be understood that secureinformation entry circuit 280 could also be incorporated in a computersystem of another network not expressly depicted in FIG. 7H. Host 280could also be considered to represent a host computer system of any oneof issuing bank 330 acquiring bank 332, debit network 320, creditnetwork 330 as shown in FIG. 3 a, for example. As indicated in FIG. 7 h,interface 775 depicted in FIG. 7 h can be any one of the interfaceapparatuses mentioned herein, e.g. a gasoline dispenser 770, a Kiosk774, a parking meter, a PC 776, a transaction terminal 10, a PDA, a PDT.

Referring to further aspects of information message 288, it will beunderstood that the attributes of information message 288 will changedepending on what secure information is being captured by terminal 10and the characteristics of indicator 287. In the example of FIG. 1 awherein indicator 287 comprises an LED and the secure information is PINinformation, message information may be printed matter formed on housingstating “DO NOT ENTER PIN INFORMATION UNLESS LIGHT IS ON”. If the secureinformation to be encrypted is a credit card number, and indicator is anacoustic device, then information message 288 may be printed matterwhich states “DO NOT INSERT CARD UNLESS TONE IS SOUNDED”. In addition toor instead of being comprised of printed matter message information 288may be electronically generated text information displayed by screen 20,permanently generated by firmware of terminal or caused by terminalfirmware to be displayed by previous action of a user. Also, informationmessage 288 need not be located on terminal 10. Information message 288may be printed matter or electronically generated message data at alocation proximate terminal, such as on a sign proximate terminal 10.Information message 288 may also include printed matter included inproduct literature supplied by a supplier of terminal, and may includeelectronically displayed messages which may be accessed by accessing awebsite of a supplier of terminal.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to the preferred mode as illustrated in the drawing, itwill be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes indetail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the claims.

1. A transaction terminal comprising: a housing having a front, a top,and a rear, wherein said housing has a formation disposed thereonadapting said housing for mounting of said housing on an externalstructure; a card reader; a touch screen disposed on said top of saidhousing intermediate of said front and said rear, said terminal beingcapable of capturing signature data entered utilizing said touch screen;a rear imaging module assembly including a rear imaging module and acapture and decode circuit, said rear imaging module being disposed insaid housing for capture of images corresponding to objects disposedrearward of said housing and having an imaging axis extending rearwardfrom said housing; and a control circuit in communication with said cardreader, said touch screen, and said rear imaging module.
 2. Thetransaction terminal of claim 1, wherein said terminal includes a manualtrigger button disposed on said housing rearward of said touch screen,wherein said transaction terminal is configured so that said rearimaging module assembly commences image capturing and decoding when saidmanual trigger button is actuated.
 3. The transaction terminal of claim1, wherein said transaction terminal is configured so that said rearimaging module automatically commences decoding when an objectdetermined by said transaction terminal to include decodable indicia isdisposed in a field of view of said rear imaging module.
 4. Thetransaction terminal of claim 1, wherein said transaction terminal isconfigured so that said rear imaging module assembly automaticallycommences image capturing and decoding when said transaction terminalreceives a remotely generated trigger signal from a remote,nonintegrated device.
 5. The transaction terminal of claim 1, whereinsaid capture and decode circuit of said rear imaging module assembly isincorporated in said control circuit.
 6. The transaction terminal ofclaim 1, wherein said transaction terminal further includes a frontimaging module assembly including a front imaging module and a captureand decode circuit, said front imaging module being disposed in saidhousing and having a front imaging axis extending forwardly from saidtransaction terminal.
 7. The transaction terminal of claim 6, whereinsaid transaction terminal further includes a manual trigger buttondisposed on said housing forward of said touch screen, wherein saidtransaction terminal is configured so that said front imaging moduleassembly commences image capturing and decoding when said manual triggerbutton is actuated.
 8. The transaction terminal of claim 6, wherein saidcapture and decode circuit of said front imaging module assembly isincorporated in said control circuit.
 9. A point-of-sale transactionsystem comprising: a cash register; a transaction terminal spaced apartfrom said cash register, said transaction terminal including: a cardreader; a terminal housing; and at least one light source disposed insaid terminal housing in such configuration that said at least one lightsource projects visible light to an exterior of said terminal housingwhen actuated, wherein said transaction system is configured so thatwhen said cash register receives a product code corresponding to anage-proof-required product, said cash register sends a signal to saidtransaction terminal, and wherein said transaction terminal isconfigured so that when said transaction terminal receives said signalsaid transaction terminal actuates said at least one light source toproject visible light to an exterior of said transaction terminal. 10.The system of claim 9, wherein said at least one light source is a bankof LEDs.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein said transaction terminalincludes an imaging module having a bank of LEDs, and wherein said atleast one light source is provided by said bank of LEDs.
 12. The systemof claim 9, wherein said transaction terminal includes an imaging moduleassembly including an imaging module and a decode circuit, and whereinsaid transaction terminal is configured so that when said transactionterminal receives said signal, said transaction terminal actuates saidimaging module assembly so that said imaging module assemblyautomatically commences decoding when said cash register receives aproduct code corresponding to an age-proof-required product.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein said imaging module is disposed in saidterminal housing so that an imaging axis of imaging module extendsrearward of said terminal housing.
 14. The system of claim 9, whereinsaid cash register includes a LUT correlating product codes with flagindicators indicating products that are age-proof required products. 15.A point-of-sale transaction system comprising: a cash register; atransaction terminal spaced apart from said cash register, saidtransaction terminal including: a card reader; a terminal housing; andan imaging module assembly including an imaging module and a capture anddecode circuit, said imaging module, being disposed in said terminalhousing, wherein said transaction system is configured so that when saidcash register receives a product code corresponding to anage-proof-required product, said cash register sends a signal to saidtransaction terminal, and wherein said transaction terminal isconfigured so that when said transaction terminal receives said signal,said transaction terminal actuates said imaging module assembly so thatsaid imaging module assembly automatically commences decoding when saidcash register receives a product code corresponding to anage-proof-required product.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein saidimaging module includes a bank of LEDs emitting visible light, whereinsaid imaging module is disposed in said housing so that visible lightfrom said bank of LEDs is projected to an exterior of said terminal whensaid bank of LEDs is actuated, and wherein said imaging module assemblyis configured so that said bank of LEDs is actuated when said assemblydecodes image data, so that visible light is projected from saidterminal when said cash register receives a product code correspondingto an age proof required product.
 17. The system of claim 15, whereinsaid imaging module includes an imaging axis and is disposed in saidterminal housing so that said imaging axis extends rearward from saidhousing.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein said imaging moduleincludes an imaging axis and is disposed in said terminal housing sothat said imaging axis extends upward from said housing.
 19. The systemof claim 15, wherein said imaging module includes an imaging axis and isdisposed in said terminal housing so that said imaging axis extendsdownward from said housing.
 20. The system of claim 15, furtherincluding a bar code reader in communication with said cash register,and wherein said product code is derived by decoding a bar code on aproduct using said bar code reader.
 21. A transaction terminal for useat a point of sale, said transaction terminal comprising: a housinghaving a top, a front for generally facing a customer, and a rear forgenerally facing a store clerk; a card reader having a componentdisposed in said housing; a touch screen disposed on said top of saidhousing intermediate of said front and said rear; and an imagingassembly including an image sensor and a lens assembly, wherein saidterminal has circuitry in communication with said imaging assembly forcapturing images and subjecting said images to a decoding algorithm,said imaging assembly being disposed in said housing for capture ofimages corresponding to objects disposed rearward of said housing andhaving an imaging axis extending rearward from said housing.
 22. Thetransaction terminal of claim 21, wherein said terminal includes amanual trigger button disposed on said housing rearward of said touchscreen, wherein said transaction terminal is configured so that saidcircuitry commences image capturing and decoding when said manualtrigger button is actuated.
 23. The transaction terminal of claim 21,wherein said transaction terminal is configured so that said circuitryautomatically commences decoding when an object determined by saidtransaction terminal to include decodable indicia is disposed in a fieldof view of said imaging assembly.
 24. The transaction terminal of claim21, wherein said transaction terminal is configured so that saidcircuitry automatically commences image capture and decoding when saidtransaction terminal receives a remotely generated trigger signal froman external, nonintegrated device.
 25. The transaction terminal of claim21, wherein said transaction terminal further includes a supplementaryimaging assembly also including an image sensor and a lens assembly,said supplementary imaging assembly being disposed in said housing forcapture of images corresponding to objects disposed forward of saidtransaction terminal and having a front imaging axis extending forwardlyfrom said transaction terminal.
 26. The transaction terminal of claim25, wherein said transaction terminal further includes a manual triggerbutton disposed on said housing forward of said touch screen, whereinsaid transaction terminal is configured so that circuitry associatedwith said supplementary imaging assembly commences image capture anddecoding when said manual trigger button disposed on said housingforward of said touch screen is actuated.
 27. The transaction terminalof claim 21, wherein said housing is specially adapted to be fixedlymounted to a fixed structure.
 28. The transaction terminal of claim 21,wherein said card reader is an insert style card reader.
 29. A point ofsale transaction station comprising: a transaction terminal including ahousing having a top, a front, and a rear, the transaction terminalfurther including a card reader having a component disposed in saidhousing and a touch screen disposed on said top of said housingintermediate of said front and said rear; said transaction terminalfurther including an imaging assembly including an image sensor and alens assembly, wherein said terminal has circuitry in communication withsaid imaging assembly for capturing images and subjecting said images toa decoding algorithm, said imaging assembly being disposed in saidhousing for capture of images corresponding to objects disposed upwardof said housing and having an imaging axis extending upward from saidhousing; a customer location; and a store clerk location, wherein saidtransaction terminal is positioned so that said front generally facessaid customer location and said rear generally faces said store clerklocation.
 30. The transaction terminal of claim 29, wherein saidterminal includes a manual trigger button disposed on said housingrearward of said touch screen, wherein said transaction terminal isconfigured so that said circuitry commences image capturing and decodingwhen said manual trigger button is actuated.
 31. The transactionterminal of claim 29, wherein said transaction terminal is configured sothat said circuitry automatically commences decoding when an objectdetermined by said transaction terminal to include decodable indicia isdisposed in a field of view of said imaging assembly.
 32. Thetransaction terminal of claim 29, wherein said transaction terminalfurther includes a supplementary imaging assembly also including animage sensor and a lens assembly, said supplementary imaging assemblybeing disposed in said housing for capture of images corresponding toobjects disposed forward of said transaction terminal and having a frontimaging axis extending forwardly from said transaction terminal.
 33. Thetransaction terminal of claim 29, wherein said housing is speciallyadapted to be fixedly mounted to a fixed structure.
 34. The transactionterminal of claim 29, wherein said terminal is configured so that saidimaging axis extends through plane of said housing at a positionrearward of said touch screen.
 35. The transaction terminal of claim 29wherein said terminal is configured so that said imaging axis extendsthrough plane of said housing at a position more proximate said rearthan said front of said housing.
 36. The transaction terminal of claim29, wherein said card reader is an insert style card reader.
 37. Atransaction terminal for use at a point of sale, said transactionterminal comprising: a housing having a top, a front, and a rear; a cardreader having a component disposed in said housing; a touch screendisposed on said top of said housing intermediate of said front and saidrear, wherein said transaction terminal capable of capturing signaturedata entered utilizing said touch screen; and an imaging assemblyincluding an image sensor and a lens assembly, wherein said terminal hascircuitry in communication with said imaging assembly for capturingimages and subjecting said images to a decoding algorithm, said imagingassembly being disposed in said housing for capture of imagescorresponding to objects disposed rearward of said housing and having animaging axis extending rearward from said housing.
 38. The transactionterminal of claim 37, wherein said transaction terminal is configured sothat said circuitry automatically commences decoding when an object isdisposed in a field of view of said imaging assembly.
 39. Thetransaction terminal of claim 37, wherein said transaction terminalfurther includes a supplementary imaging assembly also including animage sensor and a lens assembly, said supplementary imaging assemblybeing disposed in said housing for capture of images corresponding toobjects disposed forward of said transaction terminal and having a frontimaging axis extending forwardly from said transaction terminal.
 40. Thetransaction terminal of claim 37, wherein said housing is speciallyadapted to be fixedly mounted to a fixed structure.
 41. A transactionterminal for use at a point of sale, said transaction terminalcomprising: a housing having a top, a front for generally facing acustomer, and a rear for generally facing a store clerk, said housingbeing fixed mounted on a fixed structure; a card reader having acomponent disposed in said housing; a touch screen disposed on said topof said housing intermediate of said front and said rear, wherein saidhousing is fixed mounted in an orientation such that said touch screenextends generally in a horizontal plane; and an imaging assemblyincluding an image sensor and a lens assembly, wherein said terminal hascircuitry in communication with said imaging assembly for capturingimages and subjecting said images to a decoding algorithm, said imagingassembly being disposed in said housing for capture of imagescorresponding to objects disposed rearward of said housing and having animaging axis extending rearward from said housing.
 42. The transactionterminal of claim 41, wherein said transaction terminal is configured sothat said circuitry automatically commences decoding when an object isdisposed in a field of view of said imaging assembly.
 43. Thetransaction terminal of claim 41, wherein said transaction terminalfurther includes a supplementary imaging assembly also including animage sensor and a lens assembly, said supplementary imaging assemblybeing disposed in said housing for capture of images corresponding toobjects disposed forward of said transaction terminal and having a frontimaging axis extending forwardly from said transaction terminal.
 44. Apoint of sale transaction station comprising: a transaction terminalincluding a housing having a top, a front, and a rear, the transactionterminal including a card reader having a component disposed in saidhousing; and a touch screen disposed on said top of said housingintermediate of said front and said rear, and an imaging assemblyincluding an image sensor and a lens assembly, wherein said terminal hascircuitry in communication with said imaging assembly for capturingimages and subjecting said images to a decoding algorithm, said imagingassembly being disposed in said housing for capture of imagescorresponding to objects disposed rearward of said housing and having animaging axis extending rearward from said housing; a customer location;a store clerk location; wherein said transaction terminal is positionedat said station so that said front generally faces said customerlocation and said rear generally faces said store clerk location. 45.The station of claim 44, wherein said transaction terminal is configuredso that said circuitry automatically commences decoding when an objectis disposed in a field of view of said imaging assembly.
 46. The stationof claim 44, wherein said transaction terminal further includes asupplementary imaging assembly also including an image sensor and a lensassembly, said supplementary imaging assembly being disposed in saidhousing for capture of images corresponding to objects disposed forwardof said transaction terminal and having a front imaging axis extendingforwardly from said transaction terminal.
 47. A transaction terminal foruse at a point of sale, said transaction terminal comprising: a housinghaving a front for generally facing a customer, a top, and a rear; acard reader having a component disposed in said housing; a touch screendisposed on said top of said housing intermediate of said front and saidrear; and an assembly for use in capturing images, said assembly beingdisposed in said housing, said assembly having an image sensor andassociated optics; circuitry in communication with said assembly, saidcircuitry for capturing images and for attempting to decode decodableindicia represented in said images; said assembly being disposed in saidhousing for capture of images corresponding to objects disposedexternally of said housing; a supplementary assembly for use incapturing images, said supplementary assembly also being disposed insaid housing for capture of images corresponding to objects disposedexternally of said housing, said supplementary assembly having an imagesensor and associated optics; said assembly being disposed in saidhousing for capture of images corresponding to objects disposed at afirst position relative to said housing; and said supplementary assemblybeing disposed in said housing for capture of images corresponding toobjects disposed at a second position relative to said housing.
 48. Thetransaction terminal of claim 47, wherein said circuitry includes sharedcomponents for attempting to decode images represented objects disposedin a field of view of both of said assembly and said supplementaryassembly.
 49. The transaction terminal of claim 47, wherein said firstposition is a position rearward of said housing and said second positionis a position forward of said housing.
 50. The transaction terminal ofclaim 47, wherein said first position is a position for easy access by astore clerk and said second position is a position for easy access bysaid customer.
 51. The transaction terminal of claim 47, wherein saidsecond position is a position for easy access by said customer and saidfirst position is a position selected from the group consisting ofrearward of said housing, above said housing, or below said housing. 52.The transaction terminal of claim 47, wherein said second position isforward of said housing.
 53. The transaction terminal of claim 47,wherein said assembly is disposed in said housing for capture of imagesof objects disposed rearward relative to said housing.
 54. Thetransaction terminal of claim 47, wherein said assembly is disposed insaid housing for capture of images of objects disposed upward relativeto said housing.
 55. The transaction terminal of claim 47, wherein saidassembly is disposed in said housing for capture of images of objectsdisposed below said housing.